Somaliland is an autonomous region of Somalia that has been relatively stable (as I write that I don’t want to give readers the impression that everything is peachy there). Late last week the Somaliland Press reported that Somalis who are naturalized Americans and Canadians are involved in planning attacks to disrupt elections in Somaliland. This is a really complicated story and I have no intention of wading into the morass of East African political turmoil, but I found this of interest when the author charges Americans (and Canadians) of being involved.
From Somaliland Press:
A Canadian and an American of Somali nationals, among other nationalities, with al-Shabab terrorists plan a massive violent campaign against Somaliland polling stations in June 2010. A Canadian and an American! Hard to belief, isn’t it? Not only is it hard to swallow that some of the individuals gearing up for a showdown with Somaliland security forces live in the heart of Canada and U.S., but also these warmongers would slip back to Canada and U.S. without any problems. What is more upsetting is that both Canada and U.S. hypocritically scream about terrorist threats against their nations while they remain oblivious of their citizens fomenting a destructive campaign in Somaliland and elsewhere.
[….]
How unfair and cruel is it for the people of Somaliland in general and for the victims of Buhodle town in particular that these American and Canadian individuals to inflict destruction in a region that is already destitute and then slip back to their comfort zones: U.S. and Canada?
I hope our Homeland Security officials have enough sense to stop them as they enter the US. As a matter of fact, they should stop any American Somali who travels back and forth to Somaliland. If they are here because they have escaped persecution, then they shouldn’t be zipping back and forth to East Africa!