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Somalia: Stability at the price of justice and freedom

By on April 20, 2010
Somali Al-Shabab Islamists have brought greater stability to parts of Somalia, but at a huge cost to the local population. A report by the US-based group details killings, repression and harsh Sharia law punishments, including amputations.
Somalia has been wracked by civil conflict since 1991, and hard line Islamists have taken control of large parts of southern Somalia.

The main Al-Shabab group says it is fighting the weak UN-backed government to make Somalia an Islamic state. And the transitional government – which controls only parts of the capital with the help of African peacekeepers – also wants Islamic law imposed, but al-Shabab’s interpretation of Sharia has been very strict. The Islamists have wiped out “banditry and freelance militias that have plagued people” but that stability has often come at the price of justice and freedom: The hard-line Islamists disapproved music and have shut down cinemas and banned the watching of football matches. Another group, Hizbul-Islam, banned music from radios in Mogadishu earlier in April.  
Niger: A special U.N envoy received by the Head of State
The Niger head of state, the squadron commander Djibo Salou,  received Mr. Said Djinnit, the special envoy of UN Secretary General, in Niamey to “seek measures taken” by the junta since the coup of February 18. After the hearing, Djinnit told reporters that he reiterated “the determination of the United Nations to support very strongly the Niger”. The UN envoy stressed that the President of CSRD thanked the U.N Organiasation for its support to Niger against food crisis

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