Letter: Targeting aid where it is needed most

Sir: Recently we have seen much publicity about Mogadishu with the latest killing of innocent civilians (13 July). The international community is missing an opportunity in being obsessed with General Mohamed Farah Aideed.

There is relatively stable administration and security in Somaliland and Eastern Somalia which should serve as a basis and example for reconciliation and reconstruction in Somalia. An estimated dollars 2.8bn has been spent on the UN troops in Somalia, most of them confined in their compounds. This money could have been better spent on the regeneration of the Somali economy and building of the basic infrastructure of Somaliland and Somalia.

I would suggest the suspension of the military hostility and the formulation of a comprehensive plan and clearer aim for Somalia, involving the Somali people. If we fail to address the real crisis, Somaliland and the rest of Somalia could slide into similar crisis. The aid should be targeted where it is needed most. We forget the existence of Somaliland, where the people are trying hard to help themselves.

Yours sincerely,

ABDULLAHI A. GULAID

London, NW1

15 July