Inside Story

Why does Somalia matter?

Somalia hopes to restore stability by electing a new president.

It was an unusual presidential election, with 22 candidates and no polling stations. MPs voted but not everyone else because of the threat of attack.

The election was marred by accusations of bribery and political infighting among the clans of Somalia, all 135 of them.

So will the new president be able to lead Somalis through the many political and security challenges?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests:

Afyare Elmi – Somali political scientist and associate professor of International Affairs, Qatar University

Matt Bryden – chairman, Sahan Research Institute, Kenya

Hawa Hassan – former government minister in Somalia