We, Somalis have been in fighting for 17 long years, ten thousands of our people were killed, millions of our people displaced. Now we became war-weary. we can not afford another international war between international community and terrorists who heve been active in Somalia since 2006. International community's support is so crucial to support the fledging government in order to flush out these terror elemnts.
Farah Jama, Kenya
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The United States views Somalia as part of its international war against terrorism. How much of the current violence there now is related to international terror groups, and how much is simply clans or factions fighting for power?
For some time Somalia was without government and you can imagine that in this environment or vacuum, without enforcement, there is a possibility to see so many things. There was a conception that the deteriorating situation would allow terrorists to find a haven in Somalia.
So most of the opposition groups you can do business with. Only a few are related to international terrorism?
Yes, yes. I think the majority of the opposition are either opposition because they don't see the government delivering or performing well. So they want some things changed. Others are not included in the power-sharing, so they would like to be in the picture. The ownership of the government belongs to the community, the Somali people.
Terrorism, then, is just a small element in the opposition then?
I see it like that, currently.
How many U.S. troops are in Somalia right now?
I don't think that we have U.S. troops inside Somalia now. Sometimes some teachers may come.
Is the CIA present and supportive in Somalia?
It's supportive, yes. The United States of America is supporting us in different fields. But the presence of the CIA, the presence of troops, is not a big issue. We like that they are here. But right now they don't have a permanent military presence. They come in and out.
The United States says some of the people responsible for the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are still in Somalia right now. Why are they free, and what will it take to capture them?
I cannot confirm really that they are in Somalia right now. Definitely we are still continuing to fight against the insurgents, against any sort of terrorism. When we reach what we call a complete victory, including reconciliation, I think then we can identify who is here, who is there, who is responsible and so on.
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