Can Somalia gain law and order?

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 14:32 GMT 15:32 UK

The UN report names 3 countries as supplying arms to different factions involved in the current conflict in Somalia: Ethiopia, Eritrea and Italy. The weapons being used are Russian or Chinese made, watch any news report and you can see them! So, please can someone explain why the USA is being blamed for this conflict? And why the BBC references only US ‘support’ for one group whilst disregarding the obvious direct & active involvement of other countries? Most notably Russia and China!

iancharlesjones, Port au Prince, Haiti

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 14:31 GMT 15:31 UK

An end to SELFISHNESS among various warlords is necessary in ending fighting in Somalia.

As long as sefishness continues, so is the fighting. This is retrogressive for the Continent.

The alleged involvement of the US in the crisis is retrogressive.

Sad to note the US, the Promoter of ‘human rights’, busy promoting violence in Africa.

Joseph Nyirenda, Kitwe-Zambi

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 14:12 GMT 15:12 UK

First international military intervention and Justice. Then economic and social revolution. Last but not least, education and (even a small layer of)civilisation: at least one age of enlightenment and secularisation, in order to get rid of barbaric society/mentality practising sharia, vendetta, clanism/tribalism, genital mutilation … all this in 2006 !!Conclusion: no realistic solution in the foreseeable future.

Thomas Pauwels, Brussels, Belgium

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 14:11 GMT 15:11 UK

somalian have to acknowledge the fact that regardless tribal and religious differences,they are one family.From this point true love will be fine,immediately lawleesness will no longer exist.

yarsiah leonard, monrovia, Liberia

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 13:51 GMT 14:51 UK

What about the United Nations, and its Security Council? Isn’t this exactly the sort of thing they were created for? To rally the international community together to actually take action? This seems to only further highlight the complete impotency of the UN, and its inability to take any action other than denouncing the violence and “asking firmly” for the violence to end, or else the UN will take “further action.” Empty threats from a bloated bureaucracy.

Michael, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 13:30 GMT 14:30 UK

British reigned over many countries but neither sucked the milk of it nor deprived people of fundamental rights and always got over rising disputes elegantly. On the contrary, USA always tramples the people’s freedom and rights by force.
War between two factions will come to an end when USA stops backing and equipping the alliance of warlords and play ardent role of an arbitrator in triumphing over the matter which is coming to head and could lead to religious war.

syed arshad alam, karachi pakistan

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 13:29 GMT 14:29 UK

It seems there are lots of foreign hands at work in the Somali conflict. I would think the AU must invest if possible all its resources in tackling this problem before another genocide is commited. Most of all, it is the Somali people who must choose their destiny. It’s about time all Somali people come to the negotiating table and find some common ground conducive for normal life to prevail.

TENDAI MUZHOGNO, DALLAS, United States

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 13:01 GMT 14:01 UK

Sixteen years of deadly wars in Somalia; when will this madness come to an end? History will not be kind to those who are so cruel to the defenseless people of Somalia.

Abdirahim, Ohio, USA

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 12:48 GMT 13:48 UK

The US involvement is perfectly in order. Somebody most bring a semblance of law and order in Somalia. The AU is a toothless bulldog, they have failed in Darfur and Somalia is out of the quetion. THis human carnage must be stopped. Perhaps the UK should as well step in.

Henry Ohakwe, Freetown Sierra Leone

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 12:31 GMT 13:31 UK

Yes! This will happen as soon as Somalis realize that they are a homogenous people with the same religion, beliefs, ethnicity and language. Somalia has the potential to become an African leader, but we have been set back decades due to the narrow-mindedness and ignorance of the gun-trotting militias. I think our time will come, I think we will emerge from the ruins as a unified nation, free and democratic.

Hakim Abdi, New York, United States

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 12:04 GMT 13:04 UK

Islamist should fight until they defeat the warlord backed by America, and then take control of the whole of Somalia and establish an Islamic state not a Taleban/Al Qaeda haven.

Harun Ali, Lodon, UK

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 12:01 GMT 13:01 UK

There will be no peace in somalia so long as the international community especially America continue bury their head in the sand.
Somalia was ingoned because it does not have the naturals like oils which the west is badly in need of

Aftin, Zanzibar

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 11:56 GMT 12:56 UK

Why it is that America is always involved in conflict around the world by fuelling certain group/ warlord? America stop supporting war around the world for your personal interest.
Please let peace prevail in somali. God bless Africa.

matthew, monrovia

Please read the most recent UN subcommittee report before ranting. Blaming America might be comforting, but it doesn;t actually solve anything. Believe me, it’s been tried for years and years. It doesn;t.

From Texas, london

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 11:55 GMT 12:55 UK

As far as am concerned Somali doesnt manufacture guns. I also doubt they have enough money to buy them. So who provides them with guns and other amunitions since they have so much of each they sell them in an open air market?

for my suggestion for the way forward, Neighbouring countries should be supported to sort out the problems inside Somali.

Mwenda, leicester UK

Added: Friday, 12 May, 2006, 10:55 GMT 11:55 UK

America cannot get the Somalis to shed blood for their own cause. An open approach by the US would pave a rough track towards negotiations and they in turn raise an opportunity for them to request handover Al-Quieda suspects.

However, with rising arms costs, the Islamist militia may simply be priced out of the battle. The emphasis must be on talks as further terratorial gains or even casualties on either side will not prove an effective end point to conflict in this scenario.

Huw Jones, London, United Kingdom

Source: BBC, May 12, 2006