NAIROBI, KENYA: For the first time in over two decades, most parts of Somalia are experiencing relative peace and order following the expulsion of Al-Shabaab militants from Mogadishu and other strategic locations.

Efforts by Igad nations Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda to send troops into the war-ravaged country have neutralised the extremist group that had made living in Somalia a prolonged nightmare.

Although efforts have been made previously by the international community to pull Somalia out of the abyss of lawlessness, the latest attempt has been the most successful.  The war is virtually over but the hard work of reconstructing the country begins.

Igad member countries and especially the countries that sent in troops will be tested by the power struggles that are already emerging.

Setting up governance structures and leadership that is acceptable to the majority of the population will pose the greatest challenge in the coming months and years. This is as expected of a country that has been torn by conflict for decades but Somalia presents a unique case because its conflict is rooted in clannism.

The election of Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam, who is commonly known as Ahmed Madobe as president of the state of Jubba in the south and south west could pose a great challenge to Kenya since going intoSomalia.

Madobe, whose militia fought alongside KDF soldiers in the march to Kismayo appears to have jumped the gun at a time when Mogadishu has been mulling over sending a governor to Kismayo. He was elected at conference brought over 500 clan leaders to Kismayo, making Jubbaland the latest semi autonomous state.

This move has the potential of straining ties betweenMogadishu and Nairobi. The military spokesman praised the move as a milestone  and a step in the right direction.

However, the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is viewed with suspicion by the inhabitants of Gedo, lower Jubba and middle Jubba regions and they believe that in stopping the local leaders from anointing their own leader, his scheme is to impose leaders from his  Hawiye clan.

Kismayo is a strategic port and anyone who controls the port controls trade in southern and western ofSomalia. The clan rivalry in Somalia are a land mine and our government should tread carefully in winning the hearts and minds of not only the people of Jubbaland but also the government inMogadishu and the international players.

It was not a surprise then that another former warlord Barre Aden Shire, best known as Barre Hiraale also declared himself president of the same region minutes after the election of Madobe.

His clearly was meant to muddy the waters. Although the clan elders dismiss Shire as a pretender to the throne, Mogadishu is adamant that it would recognise none of the presidents.

This gives a snapshot of what to expect in the highly polarised country. And more is yet to come as international players are fast positioning themselves for a share of the business of reconstructingSomalia.

Going forward, the leadership in Mogadishu must do all it can to win the hearts and minds of the people. It is only then that it would have an influence of all the regional governments, most of which have been running their affairs effectively.

The international community must give President Mohamud enough support to achieve this.

Source: Standard Digital