I do believe it's possible, even though I'm quite pessimistic right now. I think Somalia is rolling towards a potential major crisis. In the long term, what I have found is that Somalis, as fragmented as they are politically, are more economically integrated nationally, regionally, and globally than ever before. The business partnerships that transcend clan lines and other fault lines have produced partnerships across the country. The entrepreneurship that Somalis show in navigating this incredibly challenging environment gives me reason for hope.
My vision of a Somalia that emerges from this crisis and becomes a success story is the moment when Somalis, maybe with international friends helping them, but mainly Somalis, learn how to harness all that positive energy they put into the private sector partnerships and entrepreneurialism into the public political arena.
Right now we have two very different logics there. Politics is highly dysfunctional and divisive, and economics is very integrative and creative. We just have to find a way to tap that energy positively.