Know the Real Stakeholders of Somalia’s Politics:

1. 4.5 clan system ( to which Federal Member States and Federal Government belong)
2. Al-Shabab and other religious groups
3. International Community and Somalia’s foreign partners ( who bankroll AMISOM and other security firms).

Peace-making and stabilization of Somalia critically depend on these forces.

The difficulty lies in bringing these forces to talk for peace. Victory of one over others is inconceivable, if not impossible. To defeat Al-Shabab requires the other two forces to sincerely agree to work together as a team. So far there is a discount in that regard. Failing to secure such cooperation makes makes it difficult, if not impossible, to remove the obstacles along the way to re-build a viable nation-state in Somalia. Let us acknowledge and accept the realities on the ground. That would need national/international comprehensive plan of action to seriously meet the challenges of the time. The alternative is wishy-washy that goes nowhere and waste resources and energy for everybody. Forthcoming elections alone, though necessary, wouldn’t resolve the existing governance and security situation.

(This article has been updated since posting).