Nabad Miyaa? – Taken Hostage in Somalia

Somalia is among the most dangerous places on Earth. Its recent history has been marked by failed peacekeeping missions, warlordism, piracy, and terrorism. Day after day, millions of Somalis are struggling to survive and feed their children, something unimaginable without the support of the international community. Yet, international actors are also pursuing their own agenda that, in some cases, fuels tensions further.

As an expert for first the military, then UN security, Rolf Helmrich spent the last three decades in the Horn of Africa. He was in Somalia during the famous Black Hawk Down incident, he saw the rise of the brutal al-Shabaab jihadi group, and he witnessed the increasing competition between foreign donors in the region. On top of it all, he was also taken hostage by militias. How does he see the developments in the volatile Somali context? Can al-Shabaab be defeated? And what did he learn during his captivity? These are some of the issues Mr. Helmrich will discuss.

Speakers: