Early in 2010 the opportunity presented itself to then District 5 Supervisor Russ Thomas to offer his 40 years of masonry and contracting expertise to the nation of Somalia through working as a project manager for Gossamer Crossing, completing a United Nations contract constructing security fencing and gates at an import facility in East Africa. However, at the time, Russ had thrown his hat in the ring with the hope that he could serve the District for one more term. With the election behind him, Russ could concentrate on offers that had been placed on the table. The offer to work for Gossamer Crossing was forefront in his mind. Though Russ was reticent in stating the actual location of the project, Gossamer’s website is fairly clear that the location of the project will be the capital city of Somalia…Mogadishu.
With the decision made, details of the adventure began to mount. Russ needed to receive 7 immunizations, many of which have not been needed in the USA, ever. He also needed to get up to speed with the project, “I have been coordinating with the other project manager and the owners of the company to prepare, check, and cross-check a growing list of tools and equipment that will be needed to complete the projects.” Though primarily sharing responsibility with another project manager Russ also pointed out his experience with ‘government’ will be of value, “I anticipate that my skills and background in the affairs of “government” will absolutely help us negotiate the intricacies of the United Nations bureaucracy. At one point, I was asked if I will feel comfortable attending lots of meetings!”
When asked if he was concerned for his safety and that of his crew he responded, “The United Nations Security Council has recently decided to increase the size of the Peace-Keeping forces in Somalia to a level of 12,000 soldiers. Many nations want the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to succeed in unifying the country. The fact that these soldiers will be focused upon keeping our work area protected makes me very confident that we will be quite safe. Nonetheless, we’ll be vigilant, careful, and prepared.”
The projected completion for the project is six months. After completion Russ hopes his wife Gloria will be able to meet him in Stockholm to visit his children and grandchildren. Keeping things light he added, “I’m hoping to be back in Calaveras County in time to attend the Arts Council’s Cajun Fete.”
Mogadishu is the largest city in Somalia and the country’s capital. Located near the equator it is mostly semi arid dessert terrain. Mogadishu has gone through tumultuous times throughout its existence, owned by Somali’s and Arabs, sold to Italy becoming the capitol of Italian Somaliland, and finally in 1960 becoming the capitol of independent Somalia, it remains a violent area with Somali and Ethiopian government troops and Islamic guerillas fighting for control. Though an African Union peace keeping force is actively trying to bring stability to the area there is no effective police force within the city. Mogadishu relies heavily and almost solely on private for-hire security. In 1992 an international peace keeping mission was sent to Mogadishu, ending with the deaths of 19 US servicemen and leaving 73 more wounded. The bodies from a downed Blackhawk were dragged through the streets. Left to its own devices after that, Mogadishu was lead by warlords until 2006 when the internationally recognized government of Somalia known as the Transitional Federal Government was put in place.
With the help of the United Nations the current Transitional Federal Government has been drafting a constitution. There currently exists free trade without taxes or regulatory expenditures which makes their ports more attractive to international traders who benefit from the de facto government.
By, Charity Maness
By, Charity Maness
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