Somalia is in a situation of hope – president

Somalia’s president has made a plea to international partners that they should see the positive developments in the country rather than focusing on a story of a troubled insecure country.

Writing in Britain’s Guardian newspaper, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says that “Somalia is not a single narrative of violence and state failure”.

While he acknowledges the security challenges, he also highlights a recent international investment conference held the day after an attack on a hotel, to show there are people looking for business opportunities.

“We refuse to succumb to the terrorists’ intimidation tactics,” the president writes.

He argues that while it still needs help in the security sector and also dealing with the drought, the country is turning the corner.

“Our situation today is one of hope, of finally overcoming the darkness of the past, which victimised and held down our entire society.”

He also praises the Somali people for their resilience and ingenuity in the face of decades of political instability, where the country did not have a functioning government for a long time.

By BBC