PEACE RADIO: CANADIAN VOICES IN Introduction

Imagine living in a country that has no U.S. soldier through the streets of Focus government. Who would maintain and Mogadishu, in effect putting a public Somalia has been enforce the rule of law? Would there be face to the chaos of Somalia. This was a without a govern- ment for over a law? Who would build the streets? Who tragic consequence of the Battle of decade. The coun- would ensure that the water is safe to Mogadishu, an operation that resulted try is run by war- drink or that proper sanitation services in the deaths of 18 U.S. Delta Force lords. The average are in place? What about electricity, Rangers and over 100 Somalis. Prior to person needs to telecommunications, health care, and the battle with U.S. forces, Aidid also find a way to education? Who would be responsible led an attack that resulted in the deaths survive in a climate of lawlessness. It is for all of these things? of 24 Pakistani peacekeepers. This a country in name once-peaceful nation fell into chaos as only. Despite this Descent into Chaos international forces withdrew, leaving atmosphere of It is difficult for us to envision a nation the warlords to rule their fiefdoms amid despair, three without a government, but that is ex- the anarchy. Operation Restore Hope Canadians made their way back to actly the reality that the people of had failed. their homelands Somalia have been facing since the and founded a removal of Mohammed Siad Barre in in Somalia radio, television, 1991. Barre ruled with an iron fist from Canada did not leave unscathed from and Internet outlet 1969 to 1991. His brand of socialism Somalia. The Canadian Forces sent called Horn Afrik. While political eventually proved untenable, and the their elite commando unit, the Canadian efforts stumble clans of Somalia united to oust him in a Airborne Regiment, into the Somali along, the re- coup d’état. This brief alliance fell apart theatre. However, two incidents shat- building of the after the coup as clans led by warlords tered Canada’s reputation as a noble social consciousness began laying claim to different parts of peacekeeper. In one incident, Canadian of Somalia is taking the country. What followed was a brutal soldiers shot two Somalis who were place on the airwaves of Horn civil war. The warlords’ hunger for trying to steal supplies from their camp. Afrik. power was soon overshadowed by One of the victims died from an “execu- famine befalling the innocent popula- tion-style” wound to the head. In an- tion. While over 300 000 people died in other incident, two soldiers tortured and YV Sections the famine, the warlords disrupted murdered a 16-year-old boy after he marked with this humanitarian aid and thrust Somalia was taken into custody. In a revolting symbol indicate content suitable for into misery. Finally, the United Na- twist, the men took pictures of the boy’s younger viewers. tions, along with countries like Canada torture. Eventually a royal commission and the United States, stepped in to help ruled that the Airborne Regiment was the populace. Then-U.S. president Bill unfit for duty in Somalia, and the Clinton called the effort Operation government disbanded the unit. Restore Hope. But the warlords ruled The fall of Somalia shocked many the day and effectively thwarted hu- observers of the African political scene. manitarian efforts to help those in need. Many felt that Somalia represented the One warlord in particular, most homogeneous country on the Muhammad Farrah Aidid, ended all continent. Ethnic Somalis constituted hope of international aid when his 97 per cent of the population in the henchmen paraded the body of a dead early 1990s. The vast majority of

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 46 people shared a common language. region and is effectively an economy Definition Well over 90 per cent of the population without a state” (BBC News, “Life Warlord refers to a was Sunni Muslim. However, beneath Amid Mogadishu’s Ruins,” April 16, military com- mander who has the surface lurked a system of clans and 2004). independent sub-clans that valued retaliation if one control of an area clan infringed on another’s territory. Horn Afrik: Voice of the People and/or military These clan rivalries fanned the flames One area of the economy that is really group. In Somalia of the civil war in the 1990s, a brush starting to take off is the media sector. warlords are con- fire that destroyed the political fabric of stantly fighting A number of FM radio stations and each other and the country and made Somalia a nation several local newsletters have emerged making unity and in name only. Eventually, two regions, in Mogadishu. Three Canadians— order very difficult. Somaliland and Puntland, declared their Ahmed Abdisalam Aden, Mohamed independence. To this day, the interna- Elmi, and Ali Imam Sharmarke—gave tional community refuses to recognize up security and stability in Canada and Did you know . . . either as sovereign nations. have returned to Somalia to start a The story of the media outlet called Horn Afrik Battle of Mogadishu was Reconciliation, Politics and the (www.hornafrik.com), a radio, televi- made famous in Economy sion, and Internet media service that the Mark Bowden Despite the appearance of anguish and reaches out to the people of Somalia. In book Black Hawk despair that has characterized Somalia’s addition to locally developed programs, Down: A Story of recent history, hope has risen from the Horn Afrik also broadcasts Somali- Modern War? Ridley Scott later ashes. Political efforts have been slow language programming through partner- made a film called to unfold but now show signs of prom- ships with the BBC and Voice of Black Hawk Down ise. In 2000, some of the warlords put America. The most effective tool of based on the book. aside their differences and formed a Horn Afrik to date has been call-in Transitional National Assembly (TNA). programs that allow locals to voice their The formation of the TNA included the concerns and announcers to produce CBC Archives introduction of reconciliation talks to and moderate dialogue concerning the To see video of the bring all of the clans into the new future of Somalia. According to Aden, Canadian mission to Somalia visit the national framework. Talks have pro- the call-in shows are helping Horn CBC Digital Ar- ceeded, but clan rivalries run deep, and Afrik move toward its goal of becoming chives at reconciliation has yet to be fully real- the best media outlet in the Horn of www.cbc.ca/archives ized. Africa. However, the anarchy of Soma- and view the file Despite the struggles on the political lia means that Horn Afrik has to main- entitled “The Somalia Affair.” front, Somalia is starting to build a tain a balance between revealing the respectable free-market economy. truth and keeping peace with the war- Unhindered by the red tape of govern- lords. One way of doing this is to invite ment bureaucracies and the burden of the warlords onto some of Horn Afrik’s taxation, Somali business people are issues-based shows. To date, all of the capitalizing on the rebuilding of the warlords have made at least one appear- economy. Business people have been ance on Horn Afrik programs. Aden developing sectors of the economy that says, “Ours is a daily struggle to main- include telecommunications, cattle tain independence in a very difficult farming, and water and electricity situation” (BBC News, April 16, 2004). supplies. According to one commenta- It appears that Horn Afrik’s efforts tor, Somalia has “one of the most have been noticed. The radio division of dynamic economies in the East African the media outlet is one of the most

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 47 popular in Mogadishu. From a social stage, Horn Afrik was recognized for its Did you know . . . standpoint, Horn Afrik is proving to be desire to pioneer social change for CJFE declares May 3 a unifying voice and a technological Somalia when it was awarded the 2002 World Press Free- dom Day? CJFE way to overcome the power of the Press Freedom Award from the Cana- reported that in warlords. Nonetheless, daily excursions dian Journalists for Free Expression 2003, 92 journalists into the streets of Mogadishu are dan- (CJFE). The CJFE recognizes journal- and media staff gerous business for Horn Afrik staff, ists who overcome the odds and pro- were killed trying who report under the watchful eye of duce programs that show a commitment to report the news. armed security guards. Despite the to free expression. Despite the dangers This was an in- crease of 22 from security presence, one of the station’s involved in speaking the truth, Ahmed 2002. drivers was killed on a trip to North Abdisalam Aden, Mohamed Elmi, and Mogadishu, and two reporters were Ali Imam Sharmarke continue to build detained and later released by warlords. their media service in the hopes of Clearly, the entrepreneurs who started bringing the nation of Somalia back to Horn Afrik have given a voice to the life—a life of liberty and security for a people even at the expense of their own people who have suffered for far too personal safety. On the international long.

Questions 1. Make a point-form list of the events that saw Somalia descend into chaos.

2. What controversies emerged from Canada’s presence in Somalia in the 1990s?

3. Why were some people surprised to see Somalia fall into deep divisions and civil war?

4. What signs of hope are surfacing on the political and economic front for Somalia?

5. What do you think of the decision of Ahmed Abdisalam Aden, Mohamed Elmi, and Ali Imam Sharmarke to return to Somalia to start Horn Afrik? Could you make that kind of sacrifice?

6. What is the fine line that Horn Afrik has to walk in order maintain safety and security as a media outlet?

7. Why is Horn Afrik proving to be a unifying voice for the people of Soma- lia?

8. Is there hope for Somalia? Support your answer with facts from the ar- ticle.

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 48 PEACE RADIO: CANADIAN VOICES IN SOMALIA YV Video Review

1. Why is Somalia referred to as “one of the most miserable and dangerous Respond to the places in the world”? questions on this page as you view the video.

Quote 2. Why do TV crews need private security when going out to produce a story in Mogadishu? “What is more important than the education we get from Canada and 3. What role are Canadians playing in the emergence of radio and television America is the in Somalia? culture, culture of tolerance.” — Ali Sharmarke, cofounder, Horn Afrik Radio- News 4. How does the Horn Afrik staff reflect defiance of Somalia’s strict moral in Review, May code? 2004

5. What one idea did Ahmed Abdisalam Aden import from Canadian radio to Horn Afrik?

6. How does Horn Afrik break the isolation felt by many people in Somalia?

7. Who is Faraa Yussef, the host of Today’s Events, trying to get on his show? Does he eventually succeed? (The answer comes at the end of the docu- mentary.)

8. How does technology give Horn Afrik an advantage over the warlords of Somalia?

9. Who is Jeti Osman Jeti? What is his job at Horn Afrik?

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 49 PEACE RADIO: CANADIAN VOICES IN SOMALIA Canadians in Africa

It is part of Canada’s identity to em- fordable for the many Africans strug- Further Research brace other cultures and to help those in gling with the virus. The United Na- To learn more need in other countries. This is evident tions estimates that close to 30 million about Canadian aid in Canadian national support for Africans are suffering from HIV/AIDS, to Africa consider visiting www.acdi- multiculturalism and the desire to with just 30 000 people having access cida.gc.ca/ intervene in international conflicts as to antiretroviral medications to deal canadafundforafrica peacekeepers rather than as aggressors. with the virus (www.unfpa.org/africa/ and www.dfait- It is also evident in the continual efforts hivaids). Canada hopes to bring about maeci.gc.ca/africa. of Canadians to reach out and help others. changes that will bridge the gap be- tween those who suffer and those who Government Aid receive the proper medication. Aid for developing countries has been a CIDA has identified the following cornerstone of Canada’s international areas as priorities and the percentage of efforts for many years. The government funding*: uses the Canadian International Devel- • Social priorities and the environment opment Agency (CIDA) to deliver this – 48% aid. CIDA has established the Canada • Economic growth through trade and Fund for Africa, which seeks to reduce investment – 29% poverty as well as to promote environ- • Governance, peace and security – mental protection and gender equality. 15% Canada demonstrated its commitment • Bridging the digital divide – 8% to Africa at the 2002 G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Discussions *based on original funding put forward among nations assembled at the summit at the G8 Summit 2002 in Kananaskis, led to the G8 Action Plan for Africa, Alberta which pledged billions of dollars to Source: Canadian International Develop- African nations. The G8 plan was a ment Agency (CIDA) www.acdi-cida.gc.ca response to the efforts of several pro- gressive African leaders who were Working Through NGOs seeking international support for their Some Canadians work through non- New Partnership for African Develop- government organizations (NGO) like ment (NEPAD). Canada was a strong Farmers Helping Farmers and Right to voice at the Kananaskis summit and Play to assist people in need. Here are backed up those words with action. It two stories of Canadians working to pledged $500-million to start the make a difference in the world. Canada Fund for Africa, and then committed an additional $6-billion over Farmers Helping Farmers five years to support a variety of CIDA A group of Prince Edward Island farm- projects in Africa. ers has forged a 25-year partnership Besides CIDA’s efforts, the Canadian with the agricultural community in government has also sought to reduce countries like Kenya. Drawn into the tariffs and quotas on imports from partnership by the ongoing malaise of developing countries and has intro- poverty and malnutrition, Farmers duced legislation to make HIV/AIDS Helping Farmers was formed to help medications more accessible and af-

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 50 solve logistical problems that are con- enemies of the 4 000 people of Further Research tributing to overall problems in the Orochinga Camp is boredom. They are To view some region. One such problem is the avail- a community without a home, without exciting footage of work, and with a dependence on the the Crazy Canucks, ability of water. Women in Kenya have visit the CBC Digital to walk several kilometres a day to people who run the camp. Right to Play Archives at collect water for their families. This is believes that sports initiatives can help www.cbc.ca/archives in addition to taking care of their chil- to alleviate this boredom and bring a and review the file dren and performing other family sense of meaning and purpose to the “The Crazy duties. Working with CIDA, Farmers refugees in the camp. Right to Play also Canucks: Canada’s figures that Crooks and Podborski are skiing heroes.” Helping Farmers helped provide 61 rain-water tanks so that people could two people who know first-hand the start to collect water right outside their merits of participating in sports. Per- doors. According to Teresa Mellish, one haps their activism will raise awareness of the co-ordinators for Farmers Help- of the organization at home and help the ing Farmers, “They now have clean community of Orochinga as well. Right to Play believes that sports can water at their homes. They have more also be used as a medium through time to do other things. Their children which relationships can be built in order are cleaner, so they can go to school to deliver social, educational, and health cleaner. So it makes me feel very messages to the community. Primarily, happy.” however, sport helps the children of Source: CBC News Online, February 17, Orochinga feel a sense of joy that may 2004, www.cbc.ca be absent from their lives. According to Shannon Duff, a volunteer from Saska- Right to Play toon who works at the camp, “It [sport] Far away from the limelight of sports, takes the children’s mind off of any Olympians Charmaine Crooks and trauma that they’ve been through. They Steve Podborski work with a group laugh. They play. They have fun with called Right to Play to bring the gift of each other. They have fun with us. So sport to the children of Orochinga really I think it’s the smiles, it’s the refugee camp in Uganda. Crooks, a happiness. It keeps them busy, as well, track champion and Olympic silver which keeps them out of trouble.” The medalist, and Podborski, a “Crazy efforts of Crooks, Podborski, and Duff Canuck” skier and Olympic bronze will help to create a climate of joy that medalist, have volunteered their ser- will live on long after the Canadians vices to Right to Play in order to pro- have left the camp. mote the power of sport in bringing joy Source: CBC News Online, February 16, to people’s lives. One of the greatest 2004, www.cbc.ca To Consider 1. What does CIDA seek to reduce and to promote in the Canada Fund for Africa? 2. How does the division of CIDA funding reflect this commitment? 3. How are Farmers Helping Farmers affecting the agricultural efforts of people in Kenya? 4. What is the goal of Right to Play? What role are Charmaine Crooks, Steve Podborski, and Shannon Duff playing in the achievement of this goal? 5. Would you wish to work overseas for an NGO? Explain.

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 51 PEACE RADIO: CANADIAN VOICES IN SOMALIA YV A Comparison of Somalia and Canada

This table provides some facts about Somalia related to international development and compares them with similar facts about Canada.

Topic Somalia Canada

Official name: Somali Democratic Republic Canada Capital: Mogadishu Ottawa Area (Thousands of km2): 638 9 971 Population (millions): 9.9 (2003) 31.6 (2003) Population density (per␣ km2): 15 (2003) 3 (2003) Urban population (%-2001): 28 79 Gross national income (GNI)␣ (per␣ capita): US$130 (2002) US$22 300 (2002) Structure of GDP (%-2001): Agriculture 40 3 Industry 18 31 Services 42 66 Human development index (HDI) Not Available (N/A) 8th (2001) ranking: of 175 countries (2001) Gender-related development index (GDI) ranking: N/A of 144 countries (2001) 6th (2001) Life expectancy at birth: 35 (1960), 48 (2002) 71 (1960), 79 (2002) Mortality rate under 5 years old (per 1 000): 294 (1960), 225 (2002) 33 (1960), 7 (2002) Adult literacy rate (%-2001): Total 24 99 Men 36 99 Women 14 99 Population using improved drinking- water sources (%-2000): Total N/A 100 Urban N/A 100 Rural N/A 99

Sources Statistics Canada, UNDP (Human Development Report 2003), UNFPA (The State of World Population 2003), UNICEF (The State of the World’s Children 2004), World Bank (World Development Report 2004), WWF (Living Planet Report 2002)

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 52 Definitions Did you know . . . GDP – Gross domestic product – the total value of all goods and services pro- One in two Africans duced within a country during a given year lives on less than US$1 a day or that GNI – Gross national income (formerly gross national product or GNP) – made one in five Africans up of GDP plus the net income earned from investments abroad is affected by HDI – The human development index measures human development by combin- conflict? (Source: ing three dimensions of development—life expectancy at birth, knowledge Canadian World (literacy and schooling), and income View, Winter- Spring 2004) GDI – The gender-related development index combines the same three dimen- sions of development as the HDI. It also takes into account the social inequali- ties between men and women, such as differences in income and education. Population using improved drinking-water sources – the percentage of the population with reasonable access to an adequate amount of drinking water from improved sources Source: Canadian International Development Agency, www.acdi-cida.gc.ca Analysis 1. Why do so many items listed in the Somalia column indicate that the information is not available? What does this say about the international status of Somalia?

2. Use the definition of GNI to describe the difference between Somalia and Canada in this category.

3. Why is there such a dramatic difference between Canada and Somalia in the “life expectancy at birth” and “mortality rate under 5 years old” categories?

4. What steps do you think Canada has taken to build a 99 percent literacy rate? What will Somalia need to do to improve its literacy rate?

5. Why do you think the literacy rate is lower for women in Somalia in com- parison to men?

Extension Go to the Canadian International Development Agency Web site at www.acdi- cida.gc.ca to see what Canada is doing to help developing nations like Somalia. Are there any activities that you might be able to do in the future? Do you support these kinds of activities? Explain your views clearly.

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 53 PEACE RADIO: CANADIAN VOICES IN SOMALIA YV The Somalia Scandal of the 1990s

With the fall of Mohammed Siad Barre What followed was a lot of finger- Update in 1991, Somalia drifted into chaos. pointing. Senior officers blamed junior This same kind of Rival warlords fought for power while officers. The brass in Ottawa blamed callous treatment of prisoners has famine spread throughout the nation. the brass in the Somali theatre. No one sadly been recently Responding to the desperation felt by seemed ready to take the blame. (April 2004) re- the Somali people, the Clayton Matchee attempted suicide in ported in Iraq. assembled a humanitarian force to help his jail cell and proved unfit to provide Observers have relieve some of the suffering. Canadi- critical information. Kyle Brown seen shocking ans responded to the UN call and sent a claimed that Matchee was the perpetra- photos of U.S. and British soldiers force of peacekeepers to Somalia in tor of the torture and murder, claiming allegedly mistreat- 1992. The Canadian Airborne Regi- he even had to draw his gun to persuade ing and humiliating ment, 900 soldiers strong, arrived in Matchee to ease up on Arone. None of Iraqi prisoners. Somalia to safeguard and distribute this could be conclusively proven humanitarian aid to people in and without corroborating testimony from around Belet Huen. The Airborne was Matchee. This proved to be dead end considered to be an elite commando number one. Dead end number two unit, modeled on the U.S.’s Green came later when reports came to light Berets. that the March 4 “execution-style” The people of Belet Huen welcomed killing was not investigated until five the Canadian soldiers as they set up weeks after the incident. By this time, camp. However, as time passed, some the Canadian people had had enough. A locals began to sneak into the Canadian royal commission was called and the camp at night and steal supplies. On final report proved to be quite damning. March 4, 1992, soldiers reacted to one The Canadian Airborne Regiment was such intrusion, shooting two Somalis. deemed unfit for duty in Somalia and One man was wounded and the other was eventually disbanded by the gov- died. Dr. Barry Armstrong, an army ernment. The minimal efforts to investi- surgeon, revealed later that the man gate the March 4 shooting (in fact the who died had been shot two or three commission report claimed the military times, with the fatal shot being deliv- tried to cover up the incident) was seen ered “execution- style” to the head. as potentially creating a permissive Then, on March 16, Shidane Arone was atmosphere that unwittingly endorsed caught stealing on the Canadian com- behaviour that led to the murder of pound. Once in custody, Arone, a 16- Shidane Arone. Senior military officials year-old Somali boy, was tortured and were severely criticized for their han- later murdered by Canadian soldiers. dling of the Somalia mission and their Two men were directly involved in the conduct after the mission had ended. boy’s death, Clayton Matchee and Kyle The Somalia affair led to sweeping Brown. To make matters worse, the changes in the Canadian military. The men took “trophy” pictures of Arone’s conduct of officers and soldiers was put torture, putting an image to one of the under the public microscope. Changes most disgraceful incidents in Canadian in training, the investigation of crimes military history. committed by members of the military,

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 54 and the function and responsibilities of respect before trust would be restored. officers in the chain of command were introduced. The military would have to Source: Newsworld Flashback, http:// prove themselves worthy of public newsworld.cbc.ca/flashback /1996/ somalia To Consider 1. How did Canada respond to the United Nation’s call for international aid in Somalia? Be specific.

2. Describe the two incidents that tarnished the Canadian army’s reputation as a global peacekeeper.

3. Outline the conclusions of the Royal Commission report on Somalia.

4. What other changes could the military have made after the Somalia affair?

5. Has trust in the military been restored? Support your answer with specific examples.

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 55 PEACE RADIO: CANADIAN VOICES IN SOMALIA YV Final Activity

The documentary on Horn Afrik shows how the media can be an agent for social change. While the Somalia of 2004 continues to function without a gov- ernment or the rule of law, Horn Afrik has emerged as the voice of justice, culture, and renewal for many Somalis. Perhaps the three Canadians who re- turned to their homeland to start Horn Afrik will one day be seen as pioneers in the creation of a new Somalia. Overall, their efforts act as an inspiring story about the power of the media in people’s lives.

In this activity you will be asked to produce a radio or television show that demonstrates the effects of the media on you. Your show will be delivered in the form of an oral class presentation unless your school has the technical ability to produce an actual television or radio program. Activity 1. Form a group of three or four.

2. Produce a radio or television show called: The Media and You

Your Focus: The media can change the way we see the world.

Sometimes people forget that, by viewing or listening to a program, their lives change because they have absorbed new information. You want to show how people’s lives change when they are exposed to these stories.

Roles and Responsibilities Roles Job Description Work to be Submitted to Your Teacher Producer Your job is to monitor, plan, and arrange You will prepare an overall plan for the show. for the overall delivery of the show. The plan is really a detailed outline of every- thing that occurs during the show, right down to the amount of time dedicated to each item.

News Your job is to write and deliver the introduc- You will write a script for the show’s introduc- Anchor tion and conclusion of your show. tion and conclusion.

Reporter You are the expert who will provide an You will find an example (either video or example of how the media have a lasting audio) that shows the power of the media. effect on people’s lives. You will also write a script that introduces your example and provides a summary after the example has been presented.

Technical Your job will be to handle all technical ele- You will write a technical plan for the show. Producer ments of the show. Your plan needs to include a description of all technical elements needed to make the show a reality. Your goal is to be organized and avoid any technical glitches during the show.

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 56 Show Format Further Research Introduction: Anchor provides a focus for the presentation and tells the audi- Hundreds of young ence what they can expect. Canadians, from 19-30 years old, Report: Reporter narrows the focus, sets up the clip to be played for the audi- work in Africa ence, and provides a summary after the clip. Your clip should be 5-7 minutes through the Cana- long. dian government program Canada Conclusion: Anchor provides concluding remarks that summarize the overall Youth Employment goal of the show. Strategy (YES). Stories of their Length of Show: 15 minutes experiences are at www.cida.gc.ca/ Suggestion youthzone and Your show should focus on one issue or event. Your News in Review library of www.dfait- video tapes is a good place to start. Find stories from previous News in Review maeci.gc.ca/ypi-ipi. videos that you feel are powerful enough to change a person’s view of the world. Remember, you are demonstrating the power of the media in your presentation. Summary Activity Write a brief statement noting how producing your own show has affected your view of the efforts of the staff at Horn Afrik to rebuild free expression and culture in Somalia. (Length: 150 words)

Notes

CBC News in Review • May 2004 • Page 57