Life is returning to Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia,
after decades of war. This is in part
due to the improved security and African
Union force that has worked for 18 months to drive out al-Shabaab rebels from
the capital city. 1.1 million people
have been displaced as a result of violence.
While it is exciting to see Mogadishu improving, many problems still plague
the region. In the last year as many as 1,700 rapes in the camps have been
recorded. This violence has been carried
out primarily by members of the Somali security forces. Seventy percent of sexual violence taking
place is done by men in armed uniform. Balancing
security with human rights is becoming a problem for the international
community. The US, EU and others are training and financing the security forces
to combat piracy and al-Qaeda, and the British are expressing an interest in
joining in support, despite the alleged sexually violent abuses. While direct violence seems to be decreasing,
the state is still living amid negative peace.
Erin Burneson
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