Hope as Somalia prepares for elections

Hope as Somalia prepares for elections Written By:Anthony Kaikai,    Posted: Sun, Aug 19, 2012

This will be first elections since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991 (File) Optimism is high in Somalia as the country gets ready to hold its first election since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991. As the elections draw near, there's hope among the Somali people and the rest of the world that the elections will usher in a new era ending the tenure of the Transitional Federal Government. In the countdown to the elections, there's optimism among the Somali people of the transition to a new national government bringing an end the tenure of the transitional federal government. At least 20 candidates have shown interest in the presidential seat but only four are emerging the strongest contesters including the incumbent President Sheikh Shariff, Prime minister Adiweli Mohamed and  the Speaker of the National Assembly Shariff Hassan. The transition culminates in the election of a new president with the country still facing major challenges including opposition from the Al-shabaab terror group and poor infrastructure. Kenya is among the African Union members states that deployed troops to Somalia to battle al-shabaab as well as helping the country back to its feet.