Why is Somalia still even called a "country"?

[SoCalDem]

Apparently it's not had a real government for quite some time. It seems to be a lawless strip of coastline , run by bandits, pirates & ne'er-do-wells.

I'm surprised that one of its neighbors (landlocked ones particularly) have not just swooped in and claimed it as its own "new" territory.

Perched, as it is, along such valuable shipping channels, it seems as if something must be done soon, before someone goes crazy and creates an ecological nightmare, by sinking an oil tanker..

[SoxFan]

1. Because the UN doesn't recognize the term "clusterfuck"

Which is far closer to the truth

[Occam Bandage]

5. Pretty much. What else are you going to call it?

There's no good word for "territory with an extraordinarily weak internationally-recognized government that exerts only pathetically limited control over any part of that territory, and with several moderately stable breakaway governments, none of which are recognized."

[Occam Bandage]

2. Somali's neighbors haven't taken over Somalia because it's ungovernable.

If neither the UN (with strong American backing) nor the African Union (including an Ethiopian invasion) have been able to impose any degree of order despite two decades of trying, what hope would Kenya or Ethiopia have to annex it?

[havocmom]

3. lawless, run by bandits, pirates, & ne're do wells you say?

Sounds like America just last year.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Um, it has been invaded. By Ethiopia. With U.S. blessing and military strikes.

Generally, it's done nothing to stabilize the country and made matters worse. Turning fisherman into pirates, for instance.

[Marrah_G]

6. If the UN doesn't grow a fucking spine and do something about this

The the vacuum will be filled an the biggest, baddest, most oppressive Warlord on the block after they are done duking it out.

[jberryhill]

7. You think Dick Cheney would really want Somalia? /nt

[Marrah_G]

9. Only if they build him a bunker and a canned hunt ranch.

[CTyankee]

10. I wish we could send him there. From the description of that place, it would be perfect.

He would have to deal with marauding warlords, privation, starvation, fear and real suffering. He wouldn't last long. somehow I like the karma of that...

[Occam Bandage]

11. ...

[scheming daemons]

8. "The piece of land formerly known as Somalia" is too long to type...

....

[HamdenRice]

12. Because, ironically, Somalia has one of the strongest national identities in the region

If you mean by "country," "nation state," keep in mind that there are two parts of that -- the nation or nationality (or ethnic group) and the government.

Somalia no longer has a government.

But there is still a very strong concept of Somali people. Over 90% of the people of Somalia are Somalis. By comparison, most of the other countries in the region -- Ethiopia, Kenya, for example -- are jumbles of many ethnic groups.

There is also, sadly, a very strong concept of clan that divides the Somali people into armed factions.

The irony is that the Somali identity is so strong, that when any outsiders try to go in to "help" the Somalis become unified in kicking their asses.

[Jack Rabbit]

13. Semantics (I'm just being persnickety here)

You are conflating the terms government (or state) with country (or nation). While Somalia is a failed state with no central government, it is still a country in which the people have a more unified cultural heritage than most African "countries."

[mainegreen]

14. There are at least 2 stable functioning governments in the old Somalia.

And arguably 4.

There are many reasons why the outside world won't officially recognize them, but they are there, and we currently do business with them.

Being called a country, and being a country, are two very different things.
Just ask Taiwan.

:D

[walldude]

15. It is already an ecological nightmare.. Western countries

are dumping toxic waste on their shores and have been for years. With no legitimate government there is no way to stop them, short of.. um.. pirating their ships.

Links in case you think I'm full of shit:

http://blackstarnews.com/?c=135&a=5163

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=84b309cb375a71013072e8158b583353

http://chamachamwananchi.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/radio-active-waste-dumped-in-somalia/

there are plenty more.

[SoCalDem]

16. I'm fully aware about why they feel justified in doing what they are doing, BUT

the pirates have been paid a shitload of money and are currently holding a bunch more ships..

How much money is enough?

apparently no amount is enough..

Perhaps getting themselves together governmentally and fighting back that way might be a safer thing for everyone..

Anytime someone lashes out, there are underlying "reasons", but these guys are playing with fire, and many people will end up suffering when some country says enough..