I noticed two discrepancies in this article. The first was a failure to mention the peace and expansion of business that ensued after the Western installed warlords were evicted from the capital by the ICU. The second error is the statement that the Ethiopian troops evicted the ICU from the capital. If we think back to that time we can remember that the ICU voluntarily left the city to prevent the destruction caused by an Ethiopian assault on the city. This is not meant to take sides or promote one side over the other. My only interest is in maintaining as closely as possible the historical integrity. Thank you.

Man, what did you expect them to say? We're running for our lives? We're defeated? We lost? Ofcourse they said it was a 'strategic withdrawal.' That's what they all say. Ask the Eritreans.

it was a strategic withdrawl, and apparently it worked. they melted into the population or moved south in anticipation of re-emerging after ethiopia withdrew it's invasion force and begin a guerria war. It seems to have been the correct move given the vastly superior forces arrayed against them by Ethiopia/United States.

The comments by the Head of the UN for Somalia, that "we cannot continue to operate by remote control from Nairobi for 18 years" is the most direct and honest statement coming out of Nairobi for the past 18 years. Most Somalis, common Somali citizens, have wanted cooperation and peace since the fall of Siad Barre in the early 90's. The Western powers have backed the wrong horses so consistently that one wonders if those Westerners, "diplomats and development experts" living in well protected and cushy neighborhoods in Nairobi aren't working for the "Sustainability" of chaos in their own career interests. Let's pray not. Let's see some real intervention on behalf of the day-to-day Somali.

what needs to happen for the ICU to be recognized as a legitimate government? The ICU seems like the best hope for peace in Somalia. Better yet it seems like an anti-statist alternative the "government" backed by the U.S.

I think the ICU might find some itellectual/ideological support from the anarcho-capitalist community in the US.

I would like to learn more about the ICU and if it is worthy; how it might become letigimized not only, as is already the case apparently, by the people of Somalia; but also by the people of the West.

equality7252117@yahoo.com

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Dear Prof. Dr It is a wonderful proposal to UN. I agree with your point that Ethiopia should be divided in to small kingdoms having population not more than 5.0 million each. This will promote peace, democracy, economic growth and good governance in the region. Because it is easier to manage small, weak and fragmented nations than the bulkier ones like Ethiopia. If this proposal is successful and accepted by UN, Ethiopia will be nearly 40 small and oppressed nations who will live in harmony among themselves. Eritrea, once part of Ethiopia, has taken the led to be an independent nation after years of struggle. She will be the future leader of those small and oppressed nations in the region and will teach and share them the wonderful democracy that has prevailed in Eritrea following the independence. The same should also go to other oppressive nations with big population who are using their muscle to dominate the world. It is a pity that the world has not yet understood the real and ultimate solution suggested by you. We could have established a peaceful world if we had had at least a dozen of people like you. I will join you in the campaign of fragmentation of nations for the seek of peace and democracy. May the King of underground be with you