Advocates and volunteers are needed for support of Somalia and the transitional government.
A new transitional federal government, assembled after three years of difficult negotiation in Nairobi, has moved to the city of Jowhar, some 90 kilometres northwest of Mogadishu. Led by President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi, this 275-member parliament has returned from exile in Kenya to lead Somalia back from anarchy. Proportionately representative, it includes traditional elders, warlords, businessmen and civic leaders. Radical fundamentalist Islamic groups such as al-Itihaad and al-Islaah, meanwhile, have declared jihad on the transitional government, further challenging peace, order and good government. They have opened schools and organized paramilitaries and assassination squads, using Mogadishu capitol as their base. Their membership recruitment is greatly facilitated by the oppressive poverty and urban culture of warlordism and criminal violence. Neither group wants to see the realization of a democratic federal republic. But neither group should be allowed to hijack the future of 10 million Somalis. Imagine an entire state whose people know no security. There are no state schools or hospitals, no roads, no electrical transmission towers. More than 90 per cent of its youth do not know how to read or write. This new government represents Somalia's first chance for hope. Since the displacement of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991, Somalis have known only false promises, starvation and abandonment. We need your support. Please call on Demoractic and Republican leaders to support the new government. Mohamed Jibrell REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
