"So Be It"

The article I'm blogging about today I found here on BBC News. It is entitled "Mogadishu mayor: 'I may be killed.'" Mohamed Ahmed Noor took on the unwanted job as major of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Mogadishu is commonly referred to as "the most dangerous city in the world," so why did Noor want to take the job? He said it was because Mogadishu was where he was born and raised and he thinks the city gets too much bad press. According to the article, Somalia's central government collapsed in 1991 and ever since the country has been in constant conflict with Islamist al-Shabab militia, who has controlled a significant section of the capital city since then also. Noor explained that while on a bad day Mogadishu may have 10-20 deaths in a day, he feels that it's nothing compared to Baghdad or Kabul who sometimes can have 50-100 deaths in a day, but yet Mogadishu is considered the most dangerous city and not those places. Noor took on this job knowing that any day it is possible that he may be assassinated or die in a mysterious explosion, he explained this to his family that he left in London, where they were residing in a fairly safe place. They understand that he is doing something good, but don't agree that he should put his life in danger. But Noor doesn't seem to care about the possibility of giving his life up for the city. His goals are to clean up the streets and markets and "light the streets of Mogadishu so people can start to lead a normal life," even though he knows he can't work effectively, go wherever he wants, or provide resources.

This article caught my attention because of the title. "I may be killed." Noor doesn't seem afraid at all about going to live in and try to change one of the most dangerous cities in the world, not just in Africa, but in the world. I found it interesting that he was asked to come be mayor even though he lived in London, but it was more interesting to me that he accepted the offer. He said he felt he needed to because no one else would and he was born and raised there, but think of all the people that were born and raised in Somalia's capital. Why was he the only one willing to take the job? I feel sorry for his family, knowing that there is a great possibility that their father/husband may never come home to them in London. The al-Shabab is likely to go after him, but hopefully the 8,000 African Union Troops stationed there can protect him and the other citizens as well. Unlike some African countries, Noor says he welcomes outside help. This article is drawing attention to the public which I think is a good thing because it can draw out money and other aid. Outside countries have sent soldiers as help to other African countries so Noor doesn't understand why no one ever bothers helping Somalia. I think it's so brave of Noor to take on this job and I will be watching for other articles on BBC News about Noor and Magadishu.

Here is a picture of a market, one of the places that Noor has said he wants to help to clean up.

Source