Bartamaha (Mogadishu):- No sooner had the Siad Barre’s regime collapsed in early 1991 than Somalia slipped into a state of virtual civil war, which continues to paralyze the entire nation to this day.

The outbreak of clan clashes fueled by reckless warlords thirsty for power was a prelude to the tragic bloodshed, horror and famine that engulfed the country. Though tribalism can’t be ruled out nepotism and corruption are adding to the chaos. Warlords are manipulating the people from all walks of life resulting in bitter tribal hostilities. Thousands of uneducated men have turned to guns.

As the country plunged deeper and deeper into the mire, the international community remained unmoved. They did not bother to ask what made a people who share language, culture and religion turn to each other and spill blood? However, when violence reached unprecedented levels in early 1993 the neighboring countries had to intervene. They came up with the strategy of bringing warlords to the negotiating table. But some 18 attempts at reconciliation have only led to more instability and more violence. All elected transitional governments failed to function properly.

After 19 years of anarchy and chaos the country is now facing the threat of terrorism and a thriving piracy that generates millions of dollars in ransom money.

Oh, my goodness! What’s wrong with this Horn of Africa nation? Why are they doomed to suffer from continuous infighting? What is the solution? I don’t think President Sharif is the answer to Somalia’s problems. He is relying on a pro-Western Somali Diaspora, mostly technocrats. A Somali-American is now the prime minister but most of his ministers have been living abroad for the past 25 years and have lost touch with the people and the land. Meanwhile, the transitional government’s mandate is likely to expire in a few months. Nobody knows what happens next and whether Somalia will ever become a normal nation.

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Source:- Arab News

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