Love on the Net enchants Somaliland teenagers

Somaliland Net ^ | October 12, 2005 | Ali Musa Abdi

[seacapn]

Hargeisa(Somaliland Net) - , - Young people in Somaliland are so wild about the Internet and cyber-dating that local associations and the United Nations children's agency are out to ensure education and ease tensions.

Streets in Hargeisa, is far more peaceful than most of the lawless country, empty of teenagers in late afternoons as they wait their turn in Internet cafes to send a flurry of instant messages to distant paramours.

Since they have much increased access to the Web, Somaliland's teenage girls are frequently lured into marriage abroad hoping to enjoy the economic benefits of natives living elsewhere, primarily in Britain, according to civic associations.

"Why don't the girls look at us rather than instant messaging Somalilanders far away?" local teenager Amin Sheikh Mukhtar wondered. "Because we can't afford a lavish wedding ceremony or cars."

[seacapn]

An odd little story from all the way out in Somaliland. You just can't keep teenagers off that Internet, no matter where you are...

[giobruno]

Wow, maybe my loser brother-in-law can find a wife after all.

[seacapn]

Can he afford a lavish wedding ceremony or cars?

[giobruno]

He has cars, how many run is another question. Does the VFW, BBQ, and nilla wafer puddin' count as lavish? A keg of Pabst? I'm sure he could come up with a cow if he had to.

[giobruno]

He has cars, how many run is another question. Does the VFW, BBQ, and nilla wafer puddin' count as lavish? A keg of Pabst? I'm sure he could come up with a cow if he had to.

[highlander_UW]

That is a corner of the world one doesn't often hear about...unless someone is killing large numbers of people. If they are concerned about their economic situation they can get rid of their warlords, set up a government and actually work on the national infrastructure and economy. Of course it's easier said than done...but until they get rid of the muslim warlords they will never prosper.