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The U.S. recognition of the Somali government on 17 January 2013 is a great and timely opportunity that could contribute to Somalia’s effort to retake its rightful place among community of nations. In the two decades Somalia took hiatus from the international scene, many opportunities that could have helped Somalia shed the ‘failed state’ designation appeared and vanished with the same speed. Thus, it’s up to the Somali government (and citizens) to ensure the U.S. recognition does not turn out, yet again, another squandered opportunity. More importantly, the government must compliment the international diplomatic successes with tangible domestic achievements anchored in the president’s six pillar policy.
More broadly, Somalis need to properly understand what, exactly, the U.S. recognition entails, what opportunities it avails as well as what challenges are embedded with it. In doing so, they must be guided by the cardinal truth of international relations; that foreign policy decisions are always made to advance national interests. From the outset, therefore, the U.S. recognition should be seen as an outcome of strategic calculations, which reflect that it’s in the best interest of the United States to recognize Somalia at this particular time. It should not be, under any circumstance, viewed as a favor to the war weary Somalis.Continued
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