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Church workers talk to newly elected Somali officials, discuss dialogue, relief aid

Catholics discuss with government officials in Muslim-majority Somalia on how to combat crippling drought, militancy

La Croix International

A Catholic Church delegation meeting with newly appointed government officials in Somalia has highlighted their commitment to dialogue and helping the country combat the crippling drought.

"At the moment, the new Somali government is showing goodwill and it seems that the political process is beginning to work… This is certainly a great success, especially considering how many divisions there were in Somalia until a few months ago," Bishop Giorgio Bertin, apostolic administrator of Mogadishu and of Djibouti told Fides.

Somalia's parliament had on June 25 appointment Hamza Abdi Barre as prime minister but he was unable to form a government following the country's protracted election process that culminated in May with the selection of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as president.

The elections had been postponed several times and it was feared that the compromise between the political parties to hold them would never come. 

Political disputes and security threats by militants from the al-Shabab, al-Qaida's affiliate in East Africa, prevented holding the polls which were scheduled for December 2020.

The country of 16 million has not held direct elections since 1969.

"One of our delegations, joined by Msgr. Camilleri, the apostolic nuncio in Addis Ababa, spent four days in Mogadishu and we were able to meet Adan Madobe, the new president of the chamber, with whom we discussed confessional relations,” said Bishop Bertin.

“The main objective of the visit was to address the very serious problem of the drought, but it was an opportunity to restart ties with the Somali authorities. We are satisfied,” he said. 

The bishop said they were unable to meet with the Minister of Religious Affairs, Muktar Robow, as he had not yet been officially appointed at the time of the visit. But Robow has said he was open to future meetings. 

Bishop Bertin said the delegation also met with the person responsible for the response to the drought and they talked with him about how to work together. 

Drought, insecurity 

A severe drought across the Horn of Africa has left about 7.1 million Somalis -- nearly half the population -- battling hunger, with more than 200,000 on the brink of starvation, according to UN figures.

Pope Francis, at the end of the Sunday Angelus Aug. 14, drew attention to “the serious humanitarian crisis affecting Somalia and parts of neighboring countries.”

The pope pointed out that “the populations of this region, already living in very precarious conditions, are now in mortal danger from drought."

“I hope that international solidarity can respond effectively to this emergency. Unfortunately, war diverts attention and resources, but these are the objectives that demand the greatest commitment: the fight against hunger, health, education,” Pope Francis said.

The UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council estimate that more than 755,000 people have been internally displaced in Somalia because of the severe drought this year, bringing the total figure to 1 million people since January 2021 when the drought began.

“Starvation is now haunting the entire country. We are seeing more and more families forced to leave everything behind because there is literally no water or food left in their villages. Aid funding urgently needs to be ramped up before it is too late” said Mohamed Abdi, NRC’s Country Director in Somalia.

The Church delegation expressed the hope of an “effective search for collaboration as soon as possible" to help with the drought situation as it is active mainly on the humanitarian level.

Somalia has been hard hit by the al-Shabab outfit that carries out deadly attacks in the country striking civilian and military targets alike. The militants were driven out of the capital Mogadishu in 2011 but still control swathes of countryside.

Highlighting the importance of the visit, Bishop Bertin pointed out that dialogue with the government would go a long way for Catholics to be granted the right to worship.

This right is not guaranteed because, given the general insecurity of recent years, we cannot rebuild the cathedral or hold public worship, he said. 

Also, given the fragility of the government, it could be a risk for the executive to grant openings towards the Church that could be judged “excessive” and so the Church in the meantime continues to be remain close to the Somali people and through its Caritas offices help with relief aid campaigns to those affected by drought and famine. 

In a country almost entirely Muslim, there are a few dozen Christians and members of international organizations and military contingents present in Somalia. 

Though Somalia has always professed a tolerant Islam, Christians are forced to profess their faith at home or indoors. Bishop Bertin himself celebrates Mass at homes.