Problems and prospects for peace in Somalia after the Arta peace process

Abstract

Somalia has not been at peace with itself since the time of its independence. The divide and rule tactics of Colonial powers, dictatorial and clannish system of successive governments and cold war politics have contributed to the eventual disintegration of the country. Since the downfall of said Barre's regime, neighboring Countries, regional and international organizations have undertaken thirteen peace efforts one after the other. None of them, however, succeeded in bringing peace to the country. Parochial and selfish interest of the faction leaders on the one hand and parallel initiatives and competing interests of external powers on the other have for torpedoed a litany of peace initiatives launched to date. The recent Djibouti lead Somali national peace conference held at Arta, Djibouti, has encountered the same problems previous peace efforts had succumbed to. There is a near total opposition by domestic political forces to the process. The international community has half-heartedly recognized the outcome with serious opposition from countries that matter. At the moment, the Somali peace process has reached a stalemate. The Arta process has run its course and has nothing left to Offer. It is time therefore, to assess the options with a fresh perspective.