This debate is now closed.
Should foreign troops intervene in Somalia?
Somalia's embattled government is calling for military help from its neighbours to stave off the increasing threat from Islamist militias.
There is concern that the escalating violence which recently claimed the lives of several government officials could move beyond Somalia's borders and engulf the region.
The Islamist rebel group al-Shabab has already threatened to invade Kenya and promised reprisals if the Kenyans join a military operation in Somalia.
Should foreign troops intervene in Somalia? If so which ones? What would be their aim? What would be the implications of not sending in troops? And do the Islamists really pose such a threat to the region?
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Published:
Monday, 22 June, 2009, 13:39 GMT
14:39 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 18:38 GMT
19:38 UK
If Iraq and Afghanistan are any examples to go by, all foreign interventions in Somalia are bound to fail. Best solution lies in leaving them to their own devices. Rest of the world should just consider them deadly virus and get out of harms way.
Muhammad Saeed, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 12:55 GMT
13:55 UK
It sounds as though the Somalis are looking for African help. The world tried to help before, but that didn't create lasting peace. The Kenyans should not be put at the mercy of the Somali Islamic militias alone; instead, the African Union should collectively step in to provide support. If Africa is going to stabalize itself, it needs to start fostering an environment of collective security and taking accountability for the situations on its own continent.
Kelly, Boston, United States
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 12:41 GMT
13:41 UK
Bomb terrorists from the air and make sure they don't come to power... otherwise we may win in Afghanistan but same terrorists will find another safe heaven in Somalia. STOP THEM WITH ANY PRICE.
Afghan Voice, Kabul - Afghanista.
Yes, bomb them; bomb them hard - repeatedly.
Because it makes you feel good and you know they like it too.
Dr. Feelgood, A-stan/P-stan
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 09:41 GMT
10:41 UK
Somalias are troublesome people anywhere they are in the world, always wanting to cause trouble, and blaming the west or so, i think the islamic gangs should be wipe off, i only feel pity for innocent women and children because they will be the to suffer it. assistance should be done to wipe all this gangs out because they cause broader problem
easy, london
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 09:08 GMT
10:08 UK
Nope, nothing to do with us, we have enough trouble in our own countries as it is, plus, I was also sent there years ago on UN duties, they didn't want our help then...
The only way they'll sort themselves out, is to gang up against the warlords, take them out and it'll help, then they'd just need to sort out government, until then and until they are willing to help themselves, any outside help would just be a waste of money and worse still our troops lives...
[Andy2035]
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 08:12 GMT
09:12 UK
The Somali people are the most beautiful and couteous people.
They have suffered enough. There are children who know nothing but war. I know what happened when intervention happened in the ninties, but the country and the people need help. I dont normaly believe in intervention by foreigners but I believe that Somalia is a special case.Yes it is past time for Foreign troops to try again
Ann Buckly, DUBLIN
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 07:15 GMT
08:15 UK
Been there done that. They bit the hand that fed them, so they can all rot.
[RepublicanRich], Miami, United States
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 07:02 GMT
08:02 UK
Somalia experienced a short period of relative calm & stability when Islamists were in power, this is a fact. But western countries hate sharia-based systems and rather choose to send in some african army to expel the islamists. Now the situation is worse than ever, and piracy have sky-rocketed. To some, a civil war is better than an sharia-based stability...Well done !
This serves the strategic interests of USA, no doubt. That's good reason to build a new military base in eastern africa !
Aymeric Longi, Paris, France
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 06:54 GMT
07:54 UK
How sad that the top rated comment on this HYS is negative and pointless. I accept that Africa is in greater turmoil now than in colonial times but fail to see how simply pointing this out helps in any way whatsoever. This view from a continent where tribal squabbles led to 2 devastating world wars epitomises the arrogance and conceit with which many Europeans view Africa. Perhaps the author would like to offer a solution?
[Doakley]
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 06:51 GMT
07:51 UK
Surely even Gordon Brown would not be THAT stupid to go into Somalia? (well, maybe). We (the UK & US) have no business in this failing state, it will be a zero-sum game and cost more lives of our young men for nothing. Let Somalia and the rest fail, their destiny is in the own hands, just as ours is. If they choose to slaughter each other, starve their women and children, and sink ever lower into anarchy that is their choice. We, the west should stay well away and start taking care of our own.
Alan, Yemen
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 06:29 GMT
07:29 UK
Too right the islamist pose a threat! But then are we ever going to learn. The US couldn't do it before, the african nations can't do it now. Why? The people turn on whoever goes in. The best bet is to let them sort it out themselves and whatever happens happens. You can't always be the policeman of the world and I doubt that anyone should ever be or try to. There are enough tragedies going on in the world now and the UN is a useless money pit so lets give this one a miss.
[alamolicious], peterborough, United Kingdom
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 06:17 GMT
07:17 UK
nothing good will ever come out of somalia.
john hawco, tucson,az, United States
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 05:32 GMT
06:32 UK
Africa has received billions of dollars worth of aid over many decades and yet the children of every generation continue to suffer and starve. When will their leaders learn and take care of their people. All countries of Africa should unite, stop wasting money on wars and start feeding their poverty stricken people.
It is a continent rich in resources, no more aid until they start to help each other. Nelson Mandela had the chance to achieve a lot
but missed the opportunity many times.
rose quinn, Australia
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 05:19 GMT
06:19 UK
When Somalia was known to be a poor nation without any natural resources, it used to be a peaceful country. But one day, some western predators found out that Somalia had a lot of natural resources. Those predators brought down the government of Siad Barre, and tried to take over those reserves of copper, tin, natural gas, uranium and other things we do not know yet.
We all know those predators, but we do not dare to mention their names. Among them are former Presidents and PMs.
Marcel J. Kiza, Richmond, VA, USA
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Added:
Wednesday, 24 June, 2009, 02:25 GMT
03:25 UK
the colonial officer in Somalia Gerald Hanley in his book "Warrios: Life and Death among the Somalis" writes
" of all the races of Africa there cannot be one better to
live among than the most difficult, the proudest, the bravest, the
vainest, the most merciless, the friendliest; the Somalis."
the sun will shine again in Somalia
long live the somalis
shareef, Toronto, Canada
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DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 381
Published comments: 304
Rejected comments: 77
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