In a country that has been plagued by warlordism for close to two decades, many had thought that the former Prime Minister would probably become another warlord. The international community has already remarked that his resignation is a good gesture for the peace process. In a press statement, the Special Representative of the Secretary General to Somalia on October 30, the UN heralded the Somali government for ending the impasse peacefully.

The premier stepped down late last month and was temporarily replaced by his deputy, Hon. Salim Aliyow Ibrow. In his statement, the UN Special Representative Ahmedou Ould Abdallah urged officials to continue settling differences in accordance with the charter under which the government was set up in 2004. In the same vein, the US has urged Somalia’s transitional government to use the resignation and further promote dialogue and reconciliation.

With this political crisis now becoming a matter of history, there is need to explore possible ways of engaging the wider spectrum of the opposing forces. As they say, it takes two to tangle. The July National Reconciliation Congress was largely attended by Somali cultural leaders, who agreed on a number of socio-political issues. The latest from parliament is that the resolutions are being discussed.

However, it should be remembered that the main opposing forces did not attend this congress. A combination of members of Islamic Courts Union and Somali opposition in diaspora held a counter-conference in Asmara, and formed the Alliance for The Re-Liberation of Somalia. The organisation also warned of intensifying attacks against the government.

In recent weeks, the situation in the city has become quite volatile. There are clear indicators that fighting seems to have resumed. This is not good news for the ordinary folk that are being displaced and/or are dying. According to a UN report for end of October, over 90,000 civilians have fled the capital in just two weeks. This extent of displacement according to the report was last seen in March and April 07. The state of affairs therefore calls for genuine dialogue if lasting peace is ever to be achieved in Somalia. The International community should impress it upon the TFG and the opposing forces to work towards the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire. This will then form the springboard for further dialogue and reconciliation.

More importantly however, the parties will have chance to discuss the socio-politico and economic future of their country together.