Somalia

I found a blog by Mohamed H. Gulaid who reports about events in Somalia. His last post was on March 16, 2010. In this last blog he reports about how a militant group signed a peace agreement with the Somali government. My knowledge about the Somali government is limited but the fact that they felt the need to sign a peace agreement with a militant group could show how they are not a powerful government. The militant group is promised government positions for military support against Al-shaba and Hizbul Islam. I guess the trade off is power for backup. I wonder if the people of Somalia approve of this group and how far does their political abilities reach? Are they qualified for such positions? It seems to be risking a lot to offer this group senior positions. Mohamed notes that the militant group, Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jamaca, controls several districts and somewhat accuses the “Weak U.N. backed government” for this. Does the U.N. hold some responsibility for the lack of government order, especially when Al- shaba has pledged their loyalty to Al-Qaeda? The Prime Minster of Somalia has called the peace agreement an “essential step” in restoring order into the country. It seems to me that the government is doing what they need to in order to save their country but if they had a choice, they wouldn’t have turned to Ahulu Sunna Wal-Jamaca.