So when thousands of Somali's took to the streets of Mogadishu last week to express their support for the peace conference in neighbouring Djibouti, it was a demonstration of collective relief that the nightmare might soon be coming to an end. The Djibouti talks appear to be on track to create a government, but public relief may not be enough to see any agreement through. All 12 previous attempts at putting back together the pieces of Somalia have failed, and it will take more than the optimism of Somali people to make the 13th the lucky one. Although the opposing power groups all want to see a government establishe d, they want it for different reasons. Businessmen want a laissez-faire government that will allow business to prosper.
Religious leaders seek an Islamic government and the imposition of sharia law.
Refugees want a government that will provide water, food and basic services. The young militiaman just wants to be able to go to school. When Marxist dictator Siad Barre fled the country in 1991, Somalia fell into the hands of warring clan-based militias fighting one another to fill the political void. Somalia's cities were reduced to rubble and millions of people were driven from their homes. Millions more were killed or died of famine.