Article

2005-12-26 Africa Horn

The words 'new', 'council', and 'takes' are relative in Somalia. The word 'control' doesn't translate into their language.

Warlords and civilians installed a council Sunday to govern Somalia's capital, an action that further fragments the nation but could bring the city under the control of a single group after 14 years of anarchy.

That leaves the rest of the country going in all directions, of course...

The swearing-in of the 64 new legislators formalized a break with Somalia's transitional government, which was ~~stillborn~~ formed last year under President Abdullahi Yusuf after lengthy peace talks in Kenya.

Wasted a lot of precious breath on that one, didn't they?

The new council contains mainly members of the Hawiye clan that dominates the capital of about 2 million people, which previously was divided under the control of rival warlords. There was no immediate comment from Yusuf, whose transitional government is based in Jowhar, north of Mogadishu.

"That settles it! I'm not moving the gummint to Mogadishu any time soon!"

The U.N. envoy to Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, warned last month that Somalia could become a terrorist haven because it is a failed state where extremist Islamic groups are growing.

Brilliant Mr. Ambassador, simply brilliant.

How does he do it?

Posted by Steve White 2005-12-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11134 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The word 'control' doesn't translate into their language.

How do you translate "Warlord 'x' controls such and such a territory" then?

Posted by Phil 2005-12-26 00:08|| 2005-12-26 00:08|| Front Page Top

#2 You're assuming there's something to control there.

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2005-12-26 00:36|| 2005-12-26 00:36|| Front Page Top

#3 Bananas.

Posted by Rafael 2005-12-26 00:44|| 2005-12-26 00:44|| Front Page Top

#4 The Khat trade?

Posted by Phil 2005-12-26 01:01|| 2005-12-26 01:01|| Front Page Top

#5 I think they should start out slow and restore trash collection service first. Appointing a coroner would be another good step.

Posted by Super Hose 2005-12-26 16:13|| 2005-12-26 16:13|| Front Page Top

#6 Enforcing the zoning code is a good 3rd step.

Posted by Leon Clavin 2005-12-26 19:08|| 2005-12-26 19:08|| Front Page Top

#7 A Fire Dept. would be good. Set fire to the place and start over.

Posted by ed 2005-12-26 19:31|| 2005-12-26 19:31|| Front Page Top

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