Event: Media Talk - Is Somalia the new Front in the War on Terror?

Thu 11th September, 7.30pm Price: £10.00

Chaired by Patrick Smith (Africa Confidential)

Ahmed Abdisalam (TFG)
Mohamed Gure (Somali Concern Group)
Sally Healy (Chatham House)
Mary Harper (BBC)


Location: 13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1QJ

This event will be webcast live on Fontline Club's website - you can view it for free via the link - www.frontlineclub.com


Since 1991, Somalia has been a dangerous, violent and lawless place, home to numerous conflicts and civil war. From localised inter-tribal and clan warfare, to regional tensions and international disputes, Somalia remains a highly complex battleground. Is Somalia really the new home to Al-Qaeda and the next front in the War on Terror?

Somalia's intricate and fiercely loyal clan-based system means that the country is primarily under the control of clan militia. On a regional level, the longstanding tensions with Ethiopia continue, while the proxy war between the US-backed Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government - which backs the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) - adds an international dimension to the wars.

As power struggles and violent clashes continue between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the ICU in the centre and south of the country, the emergence of Al-Shabab - whom the US have branded a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda - has exacerbated the situation and fuelled speculation that Somalia is the new front on terror and harbouring international terrorist networks.

While the risk of new fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea is apparently higher than ever as the UN ends its border peacekeeping mission, we examine and demystify the many wars in which Somalia is involved, and which make it such a violent and politically charged country. Is Somalia really the new front on terror?

Ahmed Abdisalam is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information, Youth & Sports for the Somali Transitional Federal Government.

Mohamed Gure is a Somali political activist and one of the founders of the Somali Concern Group (SCG) - a political organization that represents the interests of Somalis at home and abroad. The SCG was established in June 2003 and is a voluntary non-governmental, non-profit organization established to promote peace and reconciliation between warring Somali groups through dialogue.

Mary Harper is an African specialist for the BBC.

Sally Healy OBE is an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programe at Chatham House. She was formerly an East Africa specialist at the Foreign Office. She led a collaborative study of conflict in the Horn of Africa, the findings of which were published by Chatham House in June 2008: Lost Opportunities in the Horn of Africa: how Conflicts Connect and Peace agreements unravel.

Patrick Smith is editor of Africa Confidential

Links

Africa Confidential
http://www.africa-confidential.com/home

Frontline Club
http://www.frontlineclub.com/index.php

Blogger: Somalia
http://crigler-somalia.blogspot.com/