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SOMALIA: Bishop ‘Puzzled’ by Kenya’s Military Offensive

Bishop Giorgio Bertini of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu has said that he is puzzled by the Kenyan military offensive in southern Somalia, reports CISA. "In theory, such operations could resolve the situation of anarchy, but the recent history of Somalia shows how external interventions are problematic", bishop Bertini told Fides.

He said Kenyan military operations might have caused civilian casualties. "Certainly there are risks for the local population, but we must not forget that the Al Shabab, with their policy, have contributed to starve their own people", says the Bishop.

Somalia, ravaged by serious famine, caused by a severe drought, now suffers the consequences of torrential rains. The Catholic Church is committed to helping the people of the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti).

Bishop Bertini was in Ethiopian last week to assess the situation of Somali refugees who reside there. "We went first to Goba, where we sent a priest to serve the diocese of Harar, then to Kelafo, along the River Webi Shabeelle. Finally, to Gode, where we met the families of refugees from the area of Bakool in Somalia, the area hardest hit by drought. There is a refugee camp which is not yet recognized by the Ethiopian authorities, where about 2,000 people live. In the region heavy rains are making travelling difficult. I noticed that most of them are women and children and elderly people" he said.

"The sisters of Mother Teresa, with the help of the diocese, are providing assistance by distributing food and other basic necessities. This is part of the expression of Catholic solidarity, as demonstrated by the fact that the Apostolic Vicar of Harar, Rt Rev Woldetensaé Ghebreghiorghis and Meki, Rt Rev Abraham Desta and the Nuncio in Ethiopia, Archbishop George Panikulam accompanied me during this trip. In this way we wanted to bring the solidarity of the Catholic world and at the same time involve the Church more in an area which traditionally inhabited by Somali Muslims" said bishop Bertini.

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TAGS: Somalia Mogadishu Bishop Giorgio Bertini Djibouti military offensive Kenya Al Shabab Horn of Africa refugees

[11/07/2011]

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