Somalia (4)

No seguimento de Somalia (3), The Anarchy Of Somalia:

.. thirteen different “peace conferences” have attempted to create a new government for all of Somalia. Thus far, all of them have failed. The UN and the USA were unsuccessful in their nation-building efforts in 1992–1995, and, although they destroyed thousands of Somali lives, and spent many American lives and much treasure, still, no Somalia-spanning government is collecting taxes, enforcing regulations, imprisoning and torturing dissidents, or doing any of those things for which vast, central governments are known.

I don’t think there are any warlords in Somalia. There are war leaders, or militia leaders, in various parts of Somalia. People who defend their homes often organize militias; it is done in places as gentile as Switzerland, Texas, and Israel. You find that the mainstream media tends to call the leaders of these militia “officers” in countries other than Somalia. Very often, the elders of a community choose a war leader or officer, and he chooses his lieutenants and subordinates. He provides leadership, until the crisis is past or until another officer is chosen to replace him, or until he dies. Calling him a warlord and calling his lieutenants “henchmen” doesn’t further a discussion of these issues.

.. Out in the field, you won’t find many representatives of government. You’ll find people everywhere, even in the vast Guban desert. You’ll find self-government, communities of related interests, families, and clans. You’ll find elders, leaders, and people concerned about their future. You’ll find children who are well-cared for, with very little evidence of coercion in their raising.