After more than 2 decades, U.S. recognizes Somalia

[alp227]

Source: CNN

For the first time in more than two decades, the United States has granted official recognition to the Somali government in Mogadishu.

"There is still a long way to go and many challenges to confront, but we have seen a new foundation for that better future being laid," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday in a joint news conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who stood beaming at her side.

Clinton praised Somalia's actions in reducing the level of extremism since she took office in January 2009, when "Al Shabaab controlled most of Mogadishu and south and central Somalia, and looked like it would gain more territory."

Al Shabaab is a militant Islamist group with connections to al Qaeda.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/17/us/somalia-recognition/index.html

[Pterodactyl]

1. Good! It's about time! Good job, State Department.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Military aid and "advisors" will follow soon.

[slackmaster]

3. Thanks for the "I did not know that!" moment.

[Aristus]

4. Anyone expecting right-wingers to work themselves into a frenzy of patriotic idiocy over this?

I'm sure they'll shriek that SoS Clinton is "in bed with Al-Qaeda", or something equally crap-tastic...

[brightone]

5. With US recognition

Congratulations Somalia! Now the aid will really start pouring in. Use it correctly and wisely.