A recent conference on Somalia held in Brussels has endorsed a new ‘Somali compact’ with development partners who are mainly from the North, pledging funds. The pact has many serious flaws – among them are the appointment of several foreign advisors without Somali counterparts

The document is a bad deal for the people of Somalia because it violates the provisional constitution, delegitimizes the Federal Government of Somalia’s executive and parliament and creates clan satellites controlled by foreign powers

The clan militia, supported by Kenya and Ethiopia, has defied the legitimacy and jurisdiction of the Federal Government and unilaterally declared a regional State called ‘Jubbaland’

The prolonged civil war changed everything for Somali youth. Hopeless, they became prey to a host of unscrupulous warlords, politicians and religious fanatics. Hundreds of young Somalis are today languishing in jails all overall the world

The principal drivers of the Somali crisis are identifiable foreign powers exploiting the vulnerabilities of the Somali people rooted in clan rivalry, poverty, religion and selfish ambitious personalities

More international talks on Somalia are lined up; international financial institutions are ready for business with the recovering nation...All this portends good for Somalia and Somalis should not squander this chance to restore their nation to peace and prosperity

Clan politics, rivalry and hatred have ruined the social bond, moral principles and trust among Somalis who share a language, culture, territory, history and religion. Now, three political manifestations - secession, clan based federalism and a unitary decentralized political system - divide them and are an obstacle to the recovery of the lost nation.

The US diplomatic recognition of the government is an important step in the ongoing restoration of the country and gives hope to millions of Somalis languishing in refugees camps in the neighboring countries or in internally displaced people camps

The disintegration of Somalia into feuding armed clans, some headed by warlords, still remains the biggest problem in rebuilding the nation

The recent Memorandum of Understanding delegitimizes the federal government and pre-empts its sovereign leadership role in the internal and external affairs of Somalia