The Politicization of the Request for World Bank’s Prioritization of Boko Haram infested Part of Nigeria
Babafemi A. Badejo, Ph.D
I worked for the UN on the conflict in divided Somalia from 1993-2006. The division in that country was palpable in the city of Mogadishu that was, at the beginning of the conflict, divided between General Mohamed Farah Aidid in the South claiming to be President and businessman Mr. Ali Mahdi Mohamed in the North of the same city, also claiming to be President of the country. Both were from the Hawiye clan of the Somali set-up. I worked on both sides of Mogadishu and moved across the green line day-in day-out. Each move, I had many Guards in 3 SUVs with 12 AK-47s (standard UN protocol for such moved), ready to fight to protect the clans’ UN rented SUVs and not myself as I was initially made to believe. However, protecting the vehicles should be seen as protecting the occupants. The reality only comes during any attempt to loot one vehicle. But this is not at issue today as it should be explored elsewhere.
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