European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud at the High-Level Partnership Forum on Somalia held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo by: European Commission
Three years ago, Somalia made history when it conducted its “first and free elections” in four decades — hailed as a great step toward democracy and a renewed political process. A federal parliament was successfully established to replace eight years of transitional governance, and a provisional constitution was adopted, paving the way for the establishment of functioning state institutions. Reconstruction and rebuilding efforts were jumpstarted as well.
These gains are fragile and reversible, however, as there is still a lot that needs to be done to stabilize the country’s political and security situation. Over the past year alone, the militant group al-Shabab has launched various attacks to undermine the government in Mogadishu, including an assault on the presidential palace.