AFRICA/SOMALIA - "I am puzzled on the military offensive of Kenya in Somalia", says Mgr. Bertin who has just visited the Somali refugees in Ethiopia

Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - "I am puzzled, remembering what happened in the recent past with other adventures like that," says to Fides Mgr. Giorgio Bertin, Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, referring to the Kenyan military offensive in southern Somalia. "In theory, such operations could resolve the situation of anarchy, but the recent history of Somalia shows how external interventions are problematic", said Mgr. Bertin.
The Kenyan military operations have also caused victims among Somali civilians, as denounced by humanitarian organizations. "Certainly there are risks for the local population, but we must not forget that the Shabab, with their policy, have contributed to starve their own people", says the Bishop of Djibouti.
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).
Mgr. Bertin was in the Somali region of Ethiopia 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 we went to Kelafo, along the River Webi Shabeelle. Finally, we arrived in Gode, where we met the families of refugees from the area of Bakool in Somalia, the area hardest hit by drought", explains Mgr.Bertin. "There is a refugee camp which is not yet recognized as such by the Ethiopian authorities, where about 2,000 people live. In the region heavy rains are dropping that make traveling difficult. I noticed that most of them were women and children, plus some elderly people".
"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 (Mgr. Woldetensaé Ghebreghiorghis) and Meki (Mgr.Abraham Desta), and the Nuncio in Ethiopia, Mgr. 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 has not been very present, being largely inhabited by Somali Muslims" concludes Mgr. Bertin. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 03/11/2011)