After the waiting, my journey to Somalia just begun!

By MWENDA wa MICHENIPosted Friday, February 24  2012 at  11:58

Dozens of international leaders, with diverse views and interests, just met in London's 10 Downing Street to deliberate on the situation in Somalia. As a consequence, the story of the Horn of Africa has been trending high on media, globally.

Seen through the interests of the so called international community, it was a key meeting, especially because it came at a time when there was renewed hope for peace in a country that has been at war with itself since the early 90s, after the fall of one Siad Barre. Even more importantly to them, is the perceived declining security threat from Al-Shabaab said to be working closely with Al-Qaeda, and hence reducing cost of piracy at sea, making their goods more competitive globally.

I want to step out of that frame and offer a few reasons why I have decided to independently embark on a trip to Somalia, and not London.

As early as last December, images from Mogadishu seemed to suggest a resuscitation of the country. My favourite was the one of a bubbly crowd of swimmers having fun on the fresh beaches and waters, somewhere near Mogadishu.

The feel good hand-out image also captured another side of Somalis that is rarely seen in public: Fun loving individuals, who will occasionally shed their traditional costumes, to sample some fun in a free space. And that is one of my reasons for planning to venture to that side of the world.

For years, nobody wanted to touch Somalia. The US's attempt turned into a big embarrassment after their soldiers were captured, killed and dragged along the streets of Mogadishu in the full glare of the media. Ethiopia also received their share of troubles in the country and Amison's forces who entered the scene in 2007 were not spared either, remaining stuck there for years with little progress to show.

But some things have been turned upside down, especially after the entry of the Kenya Defence Forces into Somalia last October. And that is the other reason why I am keen on Somalia more than ever.

Clash of interests