Somalia needs economic growth to establish stable government, prelate explains
October 10, 2014
Although African coalition troops are making progress against Islamic extremists in Somalia, the country’s leading Catholic prelate has told the Fides news service that Somalia cannot achieve political stability without “real economic development and the creation of state structures.
The African Union Mission, organized by other African countries to support the fledging government of Somalia, has won ground from the Shabaab extremist forces, Bishop Giorgio Bertin reported. However, he said, “The Shabaab have not yet been defeated.” He added that even after a military defeat, the Islamic group might take refuge among the people and use terrorist tactics to continue their struggle for power.
To defeat Shabaab decisively, the bishop said, the government must provide for economic growth and social services, winning the confidence of the population in a country that has not had a working central government for decades.
“The problem is not so much lack of funds,” Bishop Bertin said, thanks to international donors, but “the local corruption that prevents the money to get where it is needed.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
