Bishop: Somalia Must Get Int’l Support or Face 'Collapse'

Ethiopia and the United States have been actively involved in battling Islamist fighters, but an African bishop says the international community must support Somalia too.

Ethiopia and the United States have been actively involved in battling Islamist fighters, but an African bishop says the international community must support Somalia too.

Giorgio Bertin, the Bishop of Djibouti, expressed concern that if Ethiopia withdraws its troops, the current weak transitional government of Somalia will "collapse."

"If the international community does not intervene, there is a real risk that Somalia could go back to the worst violence and clan warfare of 1991," said Bishop Bertin, in a report by Caritas Internationalis on Tuesday. "We need an African or United Nations force, supported by the Europeans and the North Americans, in place to fill the void once the Ethiopians leave."

Bishop Bertin is the Vatican’s Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, and the president of Caritas Somalia and Caritas Djibouti.

Somalia, which makes up part of the Horn of Africa, has not had an effective government since 1991. It has been torn by clan divisions and the southern part of the country was ruled by the Islamic fundamentalist group The Union of Islamic Courts, until recently. Only in December was the Somali government with the help of Ethiopian troops able to oust the Islamic fighters from the capital city.

The country is of particular interest to the United States because Washington says the Islamic group harbors al-Qaeda members, some on the FBI’s most wanted terrorists list.

Somali officials told CNN on Wednesday that a U.S.-led air strike in Somalia had killed an al-Qaeda leader wanted for a $5 million reward and accused of planning the 1998 attacks on the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, that killed 225 people. U.S. officials, however, have not confirmed that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed has been killed.

U.S. military had pulled out of Mogadishu in 1994 after militants loyal to local warlords shot down two Black Hawk helicopters, reported CNN.

"The presence of an international peacekeeping force could allow discussions to happen that bring into play Somalia’s traditional clan system," said Bishop Bertin. "It has been weakened by the warlords, who are self-appointed men acting in their own interests, but it can be restored."

"The international community too must avoid acting for hidden interests. We all need to act in interest of a true Somali nation, to ensure its success."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.