Somalia : Concluding the Transitional Period or Opening a New One ?

After parliamentary elections ushered in a new government, Somalia seems to have arrived at the end of its transitional period. Yet old problems and challenges remain. Two decades of conflicts and humanitarian crises identify Somalia as a 'failed state'. The EU is strongly committed to all aspects of Somalia's peace process. A number of international forces are present in the country. Even if welcome by the international community, Somali's recent political process had important shortcomings. A positive outcome of the recent election is the selection of a president with no links to the country's old ruling class. The government must gain control of the Somali territory. The previous Transitional Federal Government's lack of legitimacy hampered cooperation on humanitarian aid. To achieve peace, Somalia needs to become a functional state at all levels.