A year and a half after his release, Osman Ato's garages are up and running and making technicals again, he says. He is also once again talking and dealing with the Americans, trying to negotiate for funds for reconciliation conferences. We have to work with the Americans. We cannot live without them. We need their help in assisting Somalia.
Personal grievances can come at a later date.
His pragmatism has brought at least grudging respect. Obviously he knows how to make deals and how to work with the Americans. He understands what makes sense to us. Politically, he can't afford to be too close to the Americans. He's one of the people keenly aware of how much damage we did to Somalia.