THE ECONOMIST: POSSIBILITY FOR PEACE IN SOMALIA?

Somalia is one of the most violent and notorious failed states in the world.  Entities that would seem ludicrously impossible in many countries, like piracy and large swaths of jihadist youths, are daily occurrences in Somalia.  However, there may be hope for peace in Somalia since the election of a new, moderate Islamist leader–Sharif Ahmed.  He received a standing ovation on a recent visit to Ethiopia–the country that drove him into exile less than three years ago. 

 In his campaign he pledged to crush or co-opt Somalia’s jihadists, who have taken over chunks of the country, and to rebuild national unity. Somalia has had no effective government since 1991, when a military dictator, Siad Barre, was toppled as the cold war ended. Could that change?

Question to the Blogosphere:  Do you think leadership is the key component for peace in Somalia?  Do you think Ahmed is up to the task of reuniting Somalia?  Does the fact that President Ahmed was elected to his position signal that the people of Somalia want peace and freedom from the Shabab youth jihadists?  Is it possible to work with the Shabab to bring peace to Somalia?