To not make the needs of the country, and the things that the country’s government supplies for them is called a failed state. The Fund for Peace gave four main things that a state falls into, if it is a failed state. The first one is “Loss of physical control of its territory,” which means that someone has taken over their land or they have not managed their land or resources well. “Erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions,” which means the leaders are making poor choices or bad judgment controlling their state. “Inability to provide reasonable public services,” which means since they have managed their resources poorly they cannot provide such things as buses, or utilities are so expensive that people can’t afford them, and maybe not able to pay firemen or police officers. “The inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community,” is the last part that makes it a failed state, which means that they will not be recognized or talked to by other states or other countries. Some states that are good examples of a failed state are Somalia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.You might ask the question, “Why a state becomes a failed state.” In the article, “why things fall apart”, it tells you that many things could trigger it like; war, earthquake, landslide, or another leader taking over their land. When you are on the rise of becoming a failed state it not only affects the people there, but also people around the world, if there are dangerous terrorism groups. Some things that lead a state to becoming a failed state is geography, bad neighborhood, small cities with huge populations, a state that is landlocked with barley any water and bad soil, and having competition over oil and diamonds. One of the most important things in making sure a state doesn’t go down is a good government. So if some countries lack in one or a few areas does that make a failed state? The article says that if you look into the people’s eyes you can find the answer. I think that we should help more with the building of states, and not watch these people suffer any more. This is one of the reasons when I read stories like this I want to travel around the world and help people.Mohammed’s father had lost his strength due to a mortar, which his family has had to depend on him ever since fourteen. He is a fisherman that goes out every morning trying to provide for his family. There is a group called al Shabaab that is trying to over throw T.F.G. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006 to get rid of the Islamic Republic and help the Transitional Federal Government. He has grown up in a failed state his whole life. Since Barre was overthrown it has been a very unstable state. Mohammed struggles to find hope, and usually looks far out into the ocean when he is at the lighthouse. The ones that have lived here either go to a different place out of the state, get captured and put into camps, and like Mohammed some remain in Magdishu. Mohammed would rather die in his own country than become a refugee. I think that is really brave and courageous thing to do.The five clans in Somalia are Darod, Dir, Isaaq, Hawiye, Rahanweyn, which have been good and bad for Somalia. People decided that they wanted to be united, but that didn’t last long, for more clans broke out again. They have waited eighteen years now for a new government since they chased out Barre. Mohammed has had many encounters with loved ones or people dying. He could not continue school because his friend died. The sad thing is that Mohammed cannot remember any happy moments in the eighteen years of his life. I cannot believe that no one even shed a tear when they were starring at their loved ones who were hurt due to a road side bomb. The difference between Somalia and Somaliland is that you won’t find things like hotels or restaurants along the street. There is not as much violence or bad things going on as it used to be, but they still have to keep working on it. Somaliland gets no help and President Kaahin doesn’t understand why not.Al Shabaab had just taken over Kismaayo and then they would be able to get their weapons from Kenya. Al Shabaab kept offering Mohammed money to join their group. But he never gave an answer. He talks to his parents about it, and it is a really hard decision because if he goes he might get killed. The two journalists get kidnapped and still are to this day. I hope that somehow Somalia can find peace. I can’t imagine having my whole family rely on me to whether they get to have full or empty stomachs. I now understand why Somalia is the number one most failed state on the list. Compared to the boy Mohammed in Somalia we have it made for us.
Comments