Essay: Danger and Corruption of Somalia

Danger and Corruption of Somalia
“If you are in Somalia, we strongly urge you to leave if it is safe to do so. The level of our advice has not changed. Do not travel to Somalia,” states the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Somalia, which is considered to be one of the most dangerous places in the world, is located on the eastern border of Africa in an area known as the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. One might wonder, how much must a place like Somalia deteriorate for other countries to warn against traveling there? Unfortunately, Somalia is currently suffering from internal conflicts, ranging from poverty to social inequality, economic decline, underdevelopment, and many more. Though these problems are seen all across the world, they are especially prevalent in Somalia. The constant yet unpredictable flares of violence cause a lot of chaos and are a major threat to the people in the country. The two most prominent Catholic Social Teaching themes relating to Somalia are Respect for the Life and Dignity of the Human Person, and Rights and Responsibilities. This country has an extremely unjust society; it is not a good place to live in due to its war-torn condition that denies people their unalienable right to their basic needs, safety, and equality.
Rights and Responsibilities is one theme that calls all people to work together to create a just society. In all countries, no matter the location, the government has the responsibility to use their authority fairly to promote the common good. However, the government in Somalia is failing to do so. Authorities continue “to restrict free speech and expression, particularly on issues deemed sensitive” (Human Rights Watch). An outright denial of a basic right, the freedom of speech, leads to an unjust society where people have no say in the way they live. In fact, al-Shabab, a terrorist organization in Somalia that has pledged allegiance to Al-Queda, has attacked the media through harassment and intimidation by federal authorities. For simply speaking out against the leadership of al-Shabab, journalists have been detained. In a just society, authorities must use their power to devote themselves to behaving morally and to working towards the common good by acknowledging and protecting the rights of individual citizens. Additionally, “over 3 million people experienced emergency levels of food insecurity. Malnutrition reached emergency levels in the southern and central regions, primarily among displaced populations, but also among those directly affected by the protracted conflict…388,000 children were malnourished and 87,000 were in need of life-saving support” (Amnesty International). This is a violation of human rights as everyone is entitled to the basic necessities: food, shelter, clothing, and many more. The government and the community are obligated to support each other, not corrupt one another. Furthermore, the government is not doing its job of protecting the citizens. Numerous Somalis have been killed by government protection forces by being caught in the midst of gunfire. Rather than being aided or brought to a safe place to stay, they are being placed in increasingly perilous situations where their right to life is severely threatened.
Another Catholic Social Teaching theme relating to Somalia is Respect for the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. Because we are all made in the image and likeness of God, everyone should be treated equally, no matter what race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality as stated by Article 2 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations). However, in Somalia, sexual and gender-based violence is extremely common. In fact, the Integrated Management System of Somalia “documented at least 271and 312 cases of gender-based violence against displaced women and girls in Somaliland and Puntland respectively, and at least 400 cases in south-central Somalia. The drought led to more women being separated from their families, which put them at greater risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly because they were perceived as lacking ‘male protection’” (Amnesty International). In a just society, women and men should be treated as equals, and they should work to protect the dignity of others. The government has attempted to enforce laws that increase the punishment for sexual violence, but the laws only have limited power and have not made much of an impact on society. It is unfair that these women and girls are at risk of any form of violence. In addition, Al-Shabab has been forcefully recruiting children to fight on the frontlines. The children could be anywhere from 8 to 15 years old. Many elders in villages have been held hostage until they agree to give up children to the Islamist militant force. Some people claimed “that their only option to protect their children was to send them, often unaccompanied, to areas outside of Al-Shabab control – a difficult and dangerous journey given the threat of Al-Shabab abduction along the way” (Human Rights Watch). This is unjust because children are entitled to safety and a good education; they should not have to live in fear everyday of being taken away from their family and friends and forced to work for a terrorist group. Children should be treated with the same respect as adults, and their unalienable rights must be protected because, regardless of their age, they are made in the image and likeness of God.
All in all, Somalia violates the ideals of a just society according to the two Catholic Social Teaching themes, Respect for the Life and Dignity of the Human Person, and Rights and Responsibilities. All humans are born with equal rights and God-given dignity, which should be upheld by the government and the community. Everyone is entitled to the basic necessities; among those are food, shelter, clothing, education, and many more. Overall, all humans should be working towards to the common good by uplifting one another. However, Somalia does not uphold these requirements. As one of the most dangerous locations on the planet, this country is deemed unjust and is not a good place for anyone to live in as of now. Without a functioning government and at risk of complete collapse, Somalia is a warning to the world for what may happen to failed countries.
Works Cited
Amnesty International, 21 Sept. 2018, www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/somalia/report-somalia/.
“Somalia: Al-Shabab Demanding Children.” Human Rights Watch, 19 Apr. 2018, www.hrw.org/news/2018/01/14/somalia-al-shabab-demanding-children.
“Somalia.” Smartraveller.gov.au, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/africa/east/Pages/somalia.aspx.“Somalia 2017/2018.”
“Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html.
“World Report 2018: Rights Trends in Somalia.” Human Rights Watch, 18 Jan. 2018, www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/somalia.