The Stream

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

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