Richard Dowden (of the Royal African Society) in today's Independent argues that the Islamic Courts militia which recently seized power in Mogadishu (and may take control of other areas) is not a new Taliban, but the response initially of Mogadishu's business community, and more recently of ordinary people, to the ravages of the country's warlords, who have received US backing:
Somali businessmen, fed up with having their goods stolen at gunpoint, began funding Islamic courts in Mogadishu to try to establish some law and order. Presided over by Islamic lawyers, the courts formed a Union in 2004, although they remained clan-based - the Habr Gedir court in south Mogadishu cannot charge an Abgal from the north of the city.
Espying al-Qa'ida activists in Mogadishu, America's securocrats reckoned they were being protected by these Islamic courts. They decided to hire some guns to go and get the bad guys. They chose Mogadishu's warlords, and in February and March CIA planes delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars through Isaley airstrip north of Mogadishu. The three warlords, armed with new weaponry, created the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism.
Not the restoration of law and order, mind you (then again, the military junta in Burma talked of law and order ...)
In May young men with guns poured into the capital from all over Somalia to attack the warlords. After a few fierce battles, it was all over. The warlords fled. At a stroke Washington had achieved the very opposite of what it intended and added an extraordinary and unintended bonus: peace in much of Somalia.
And you might like to know something of the background of the Islamic Courts Union's leader;
The hesitant and placatory chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Sheik Ahmed, is a member of a Sufi sect. He denies any intention to set up an Islamic state, condemns the desecration of the Christian cemetery in Mogadishu and says he wants to talk to President Yusuf and the Americans.
Somalia has no tradition of Islamic Wahabi militancy - until very recently Somali women did not cover their heads or arms. Somalia's home-grown Islamist movement, al-Itahad, died out some time ago, and the attempt last week by some Islamic Court officers to stop people watching the World Cup in local TV cinemas was quickly stopped. No one tells Somalis what they can watch on TV.
The US needs just needs to learn the different 'types of Islam' (for lack of a better term)
I like the way he mentions in the article that Somalia has no tradition of Wahhabi militancy and that women did not, until recently, cover their heads. Sorry, but could someone explain the link between the two, lol.
Assalamu alikeum
I'd just like to clarify something, the majority of women in somalia have always worn headcovering whether thats been in the form of a hijab, khimar or a 'shal'mad' which is like a big sheet of cloth wrapped around the head and top half of the body. I suppose the difference between somalia and some other muslim countries is that somalia has never been overly strict or imposing towards women regarding the hijab and has never dictated what colours or style we wear it.
Also it was under Siad Barre's regime which hijab was actually banned and women were not allowed to wear anything long sleeved. This was one of his many rules which he placed amongst other things including banning the isha prayer because it went over the curfew time!
Siad Barre was a communisit and atheist so he tried to iradicade all visiable forms of islam.
Anyways, when this ban came through up and down the country women expressed their anger and definace of the ban itself. I think it is this period which the writer maybe refering to when he spoke about women not always wearing the hijab and wearing short sleeved stuff. other then that, the writer i think is on point about somalia. Its diffcult for some people from the outside to understand why these warlords were attacked but when you have lived and exprienced tyranny and opperssion under these murderers (yes, thats what they are, cold blooded killers who masscared and dicrimnatley targeted particular clans in somalia), you'll know that our people will do anything to stop them from ever gaining power and control, which is why so many clans and tribes who normally had issues with one another put their differences aside to run out these apostates. I dont expect any impartiality from some of these media commentators dubbing the islamic courts goverment: the somali taliban because they're compleatly ignorant on the issue and the history behind it all.
Anyways inshallah this new goverment will hopefully bring some peace and stability into the southern regions of somalia which has been violitile for years, because if they dont find peace, no doubt their conflicts will find themselves spreading to the north of somalia (also known as 'Somaliland') which has enjoyed peace and prosperity for the last 8 years at least.
The Washington Post had a story that said that the Islamist uprising was also done at the behest of Somali women who were tired of being kidnapped and raped, or having their 5 years old plus daughters kidnapped and raped.
The story shows that they almost DEMANDED an uprising to stop the lawlessness.
I, unfortunately, do not have much hope of the new-found peace in Somalia holding for much longer -unless other countries keep out of it. Both Britain and the U.S claim neighbouring countries like Kenya and Ethiopia will not stand by and watch Somalia become another Islamic Republic!...I am almost certain Kenya would not want to interfere in any way, and these claims would be news to the Kenyans too. As for Ethiopia, well, Ethiopia is still a banana republic, some kind of a communist regime and would probably let itself be talked into invading Somalia...I pray it doesn't come to this.
The so-called President of Somalia, Mr. Yusuf, will have no feet to stand on if he carries on the way he is now, with his empty claims that the 'Islamists' only won thanks to the help of foreign fighters...what a moron...they won because they have the overwhelming support of the public.
Anyway, isn't it interesting how the 'international community' has suddenly become so involved in what's going on over there, all trying to take credit for a peace process they had absolutely nothing to do with!
The only thing the 'International Community' has ever done for Somalia is dump arms and more arms in that country. Our people are sorting this mess out themselves and other countries poking their noses in will only cause more trouble in Somalia.
assalamu alikeum
Abu Sinan: I would'nt be suprised if that was true. Rape, ransom kinappings, car hijacking, highway robberies and murders have been rampant in the south and daily occurances. When your living with those threats everyday, then it will only be a matter of time before action is taken. I heard that random people in the streets were getting shot and killed by individuals who wanted the bags/items they were carrying. Thats how bad things were. The majority of people suffering who have been facing the brunt is women as they make up much more of the population then men and are obviously the easier target for these murderers and crimnals.
Our women are tough cookies though. Forget the men fighting on the street, i heard from family, that women took to the streets themselves to ass whip the U.S backed apostates. Hahaha.
Assalaamu alaikum,
This is the Washington Post article: Gender-Based Violence Galvanized Warlords' Foes:
Somali Women Gave Crucial Support for Islamic Militias
That's
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/17/AR2006061700848_pf.html
Thanks Somali expat and Saggal for the info.
Ann,
Thanks for the article.
Saggal.
Assalaamu alaikum,
A couple of other interesting links about Somalia. I don't know anything about it myself, but maybe somali-expat and others can comment.
Somalia: killed by 'kindness'
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/439/
Mogadishu's miracle: peace in the world's most lawless city
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1805807,00.html
we are the Somali widows women we would like to contected with groups and
explain our problem
and how we work
regards Halima
Dear sir
we are the Somali widows
organization so call North and South Somali widows group(NSSWG)human rights
advocacy org.base in Mogadishu sepread to all the country so we need support because in war so long our email nsswgwidows@yahoo.com or phone atmoument 00254 00722247143 Halima or Mogadish 002521 559322 Lul Muse I hope you do repy good regards Halima Ali Ainte the Somali widows chairperson