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James Debono
As famished Somalia descends into Iraqi-style chaos, with a radical Islamic militia set to mount a prolonged guerrilla war against the country’s occupation by US-backed Ethiopia, concern is mounting on an exodus of migrants which could even effect Malta.
“Whenever conflict arises, the risk of civilians leaving a war-torn country increases and this could also effect Malta,” Commissioner for Refugees Charles Buttigieg told MaltaToday.
US air strikes on Tuesday against alleged Al Qaeda targets in southern Somalia strengthened the impression that Somalia is set to join Iraq and Afghanistan as a major theatre in the war on terror.
Jesuit Refugee Services director Fr Paul Pace notes that even before these latest developments, hundreds of thousands of Somalis had fled their country in search of protection from the violence and lawlessness that was tearing the country apart.
Between 2002 and 2006, a total of 1,255 migrants from Somalia requested asylum in Malta. The number of Somali migrants peaked in 2004 when 490 Somalis entered Malta. In 2006, 311 Somalis entered the country.
Charles Buttigieg described the situation as volatile, contending that it is difficult to predict with accuracy how the latest events will impact on migration to Malta.
What is sure is that the war will cause untold suffering to thousand of innocent people and fuel further displacement.
“Unfortunately, the first victims of these conflicts are usually civilians. People’s very lives are destroyed: they lose homes, loved ones and everything that gives life meaning and are forced to flee to save their lives,” Fr Paul Pace said.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees fears the current upsurge in fighting in southern and central Somalia could create a new wave of refugees, and is asking neighbouring countries to keep their doors open to those seeking sanctuary. High Commissioner António Guterres expressed deep concern over the worsening conflict in Somalia, warning that further displacement in the Horn of Africa could severely strain already over-stretched relief efforts.
A semblance of normality had been introduced in Mogadishu and parts of southern by the Union of Islamic Courts after years of chaos marked by conflict between rival warlords – the dominant force in stateless Somalia.
The Islamic Courts restored order in the capital by imposing a strict version Shar’ia law. Murder and drug trafficking were punished by public executions. This prompted international concern that Somalia was being turned into a Taliban-style regime where western music, khat and even football matches are banned.
But many Somalis fed up with the warlords welcomed the Islamic militants.
The Islamic Courts were also blacklisted by the United States for their presumed Al Qaeda connections. Two leading warlords were assisted by US forces to escape from Somalia.
In the past months Ethiopian forces entered Somalia to boost a weak transitional government, which only managed to control Baidoa. The nominal government was never able to assert its authority on the warlords.
Many now fear that the Ethiopians will simply hand back the country to the warlords.
Faced by a full-scale invasion, the Islamists simply melted away in the same way as the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein loyalists in Iraq, prompting concern of a prolonged guerrilla war.
Immediately after the invasion Mogadishu was the scene of looting, reminiscent of post-invasion Baghdad with many people robbed of their few belongings. In the aftermath of the invasion according to an eyewitness report on BBC, people in the Somali capital were shocked when helicopters and warplanes appeared over their city and dropped bombs on Mogadishu airport.
“We got the feeling that what is going on is an international war – the war on terror. People really do believe that the US is part of this mission.”
Their suspicions were confirmed by this week’s air-strikes.
When the Islamist Courts took control they recruited some of the different militia groups, trained them and taught them about Islam. But now that the Islamic Courts have gone those same militia are now trying to gain control once more. Attempts by the interim government to collect stockpiles of weapons have so far failed.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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