Somalis React Cautiously to Coleman-Feingold Proposal

A bill introduced in the Senate aimed at reinvigorating U.S. involvement in Somalia is receiving cautiously optimistic reaction from local Somalis.

The legislation, which calls for the nomination of a special U.S. envoy in Somalia for the first time since 1993, is sponsored by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN).

Key provisions call for supporting a regional peacekeeping mission in Somalia, providing financial assistance to rebuild government institutions and convening international donor conference.

“As a Senator from Minnesota, which has the largest community of Somalis outside of Somalia, I have heard firsthand from our Somali community about the harsh realities on the ground in their home country,