Somalia - They Say, We Say...

Other countries say...

"Pervasive and violent crime is an extension of the general state of insecurity in Somalia. Serious, brutal, and often fatal crimes are very common. Kidnapping and robbery are a particular problem in Mogadishu and other areas of the south." US State Department

"The Somaliland authorities have established a Special Protection Unit (SPU) which accompanies all UN missions outside Hargeisa. NGOs and individuals can also apply for an SPU escort at a cost of US$4.00 per day (or US$7.00 per 24 hours). British nationals who decide to stay in or visit Somaliland, despite our advice to the contrary, are urged to obtain details of the new system and to ensure that, when travelling, they take adequate security precautions." UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Somalia says...

"I am 18 years old. I am married with three children. I live in a displaced person's camp not far from here. I spend all day smashing the foundations of the wall around what was the United States embassy in Mogadishu in order to retrieve the steel rods used to reinforce the concrete. I sell the rods to people who are building new houses. It's really hard work - and very hot - but it's the only way I can support my family at the moment.

I have been doing this for about three years and have gone 3km around the wall. I earn 1,000 Somali shillings (6.5 US cents) for each rod. I get about 20 rods a day but I have to give half of them to the gunman who controls the area I work. He does not control the whole US embassy - just the wall. The embassy grounds have been divided up between about 70 gunmen and people are working for them all.

I have heard that a new Somali president has been elected in Kenya. I really hope he can come back to Somalia and end this anarchy. If there is a new government, I would like to go to school and learn something. This hammer is very heavy and if I had a choice, I would do something else. But if I could not go to school and had to carry on doing this, at least if there were a government, I would not have to give half the rods to the gunman. " Mahamut Issa Abdi. the BBC rather euphemistically calls him a "Scrap Metal Worker".