Piracy and the Crisis in Somalia: Somali Perspectives

International headlines relating to Somalia focus on the piracy off Somalia's coast in the Indian Ocean. International shipping has been seriously disrupted and even a flotilla of military ships sent by several nations has been unable to stop the pirate attacks. Millions in ransom are being extorted by the pirates. Garnering fewer headlines is the chaotic situation within Somalia itself and the military showdown being waged by the internationally recognized Transitional Federal Government, headed by a moderate Islamist, and two radical Islamic movements that threaten to take control of the whole country. The outcome of this confrontation will have dramatic implications not only for Somalia but for the Horn of Africa and beyond.

On June 12 the U.S. Institute of Peace jointly with Foreign Policy for Change is sponsoring an event to discuss both Somali piracy and the situation within Somalia. The speakers will be three Somalis resident in the U.S. who will present various Somali perspectives on these issues, including how the international community should be engaged.

Speakers

• Abukar Arman
  Author and Policy Analyst
• Shukria Dini
  Institute for the Study of International Migration, Georgetown University
• Qamar Ibrahim
  Consultant
• David Smock, Moderator
  Vice President, Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, U.S. Institute of Peace

Archived Audio

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• Listen to the audio from this event.