Where does Somalia go from here?
Now that the dust has settled after the biggest attack in the country’s history many are asking can a rare moment of unity be harnessed.
It has now been more than a week since Somalia was hit by the worst single attack in its history. At least 358 lives snuffed out at a busy intersection by a huge bomb concealed in a truck.
The people of the capital Mogadishu – particularly young people – were quick to respond. They turned up at the scene to help the wounded, they dug through the rubble for survivors, they ferried people to hospital, they started fund-raising campaigns and they marched against armed group al-Shabab and the government.
But as the dust settles and an official period of mourning ends, what now? Many Somalis say they’ve been struck by what they see as a rare moment of unity for the country. So can that togetherness and revulsion be harnessed and is real change possible? Will this be a defining moment for a war-hardened country?
Or will the cycle of violence continue?
On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Mohammed Adow @Moadow
Senior Correspondent, Al Jazeera
Abdifatah Hassan @IamAbdi5
Human rights activist
Mukhtar Nuur @MukhtarNuur
Photographer
Abdirahman Omar Osman @engyarisow
Minister of Information, Federal Government of Somalia
Read more:
Why is Mogadishu still a frequent target for attacks? – Al Jazeera
Shock and revulsion over Mogadishu bombing – IRIN
Out of tragedy, an opportunity for Somalia – The Atlantic
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.