Re: [Mwananchi] War in Somalia | Somali needs a decade of strong military and social occupation

Odhiambo,

A. Saddam Hussein was a problem. BUT:

1. The Iraqi people and opposition activists couldn't solve the problem because Saddam Hussein brutalized and terrorized them.
2. The neighboring countries were too weak to solve the problem.
3. The Arab League was hopeless; it couldn't solve the problem.
4. The United Nations was useless, debating the problem to death.
5. The U.S. saw an opportunity and invaded with a coalition of the coerced.

B. Somalia has been in crisis BUT:

1. The Somali people and opposition activists couldn't resolve the crisis because warlords and Islamic fundamentalists brutalized and terrorized them.
2. The neighboring countries (IGAD) were too weak to resolve the problem.
3. The African Union was hopeless; it couldn't resolve the crisis.
4. The United Nations was useless; it FLED Somalia in 1992.
5. Ethiopia saw an opportunity and invaded.

C. Zimbabwe is in crisis. BUT:

1. The Zimbabwe people and opposition activists can't solve the problem because Mugabe brutalizes and terrorizes them.
2. The neighboring countries, imbued with African "solidarity," are too weak to confront Mugabe.
3. SADC is hopeless; hobbled by the principle of "non-inteferrence."
4. The United Nations is useless, since Zimbabwe sits on its Human Rights Commission.
5. The _______ (fill in the blanks) sees an opportunity and invades.

Then we will sit there and argue.

George Ayittey, Washington, DC