Somalia 2.0
As I head off to Mogadishu in the morning, less than six hours from now, I thought I’d share some of the latest dialogue about the worn torn city, dubbed by many as the most dangerous place in the world.
Despite is rightly earned reputation, it seems that things are on the upswing. Here is a recent New York Times article, A Taste of Hope in Somalia’s Battered Capital. The general word that I’ve heard also reflects the sentiment of the article, things are looking hopeful in Mogadishu. One might say that there is nowhere to go but up, but after several decades of war, hope is welcome.
My briefing tells me that the hotel is “adequate” and couldn’t be described as anything more. I’ve stayed in plenty of less than adequate places, so I’ll take adequate when I can find it. I’ve also been told, as the article conveys, that the fish is good. I went with the camel last year in Somaliland, so I’ll go with what is fresh. Always the best policy when traveling.
More reflections tomorrow after day one in Mogadishu.
Cheers,
Miel
Camel hunh?
my friend here in Nairobi runs the UNICEF water program for Somalia and she has a more tired view of the prospects there. But yes, with 17,000 AU troops there and the Kenyan and ethiopians hammering away atAl Shabab southern somalia, the Islamists appear to be on the run.
Tragically, it appears that military intervention sometimes works, not something I try to explain to many in eugene,
greg nagle
a friend of mine here in nairobi manages the UNICEF water program for Somalia, she was posted to South Sudan prevoiusly. Her view of Somalia is more jaded but it appears the military intervention by 17,000 african union troops has done some good. Trying to explain that to many in Eugene goes over like a lead balloon, but a lot of things do.
With a much more stable clan structure in northern somalia, it does seem hopeful up there.