Somalia's Sarajevo - By Ken Menkhaus | Foreign Policy

In Somalia, a yearlong military offensive by Kenyan and Somali forces has succeeded in capturing the strategic seaport of Kismayo from the jihadi group al-Shabab. The liberation of Kismayo is a major setback for al-Shabab, but is also a big test for the African peacekeeping force -- the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) -- and the new post-transition Somali government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. If the Kenyan forces win the war but lose the peace -- by mishandling how the liberated city is administered by local authorities -- it could create new clan conflicts, drive disaffected clans into tactical alliances with al-Shabab, and undermine the new Somali national government. The stakes are very high..more Somalia's Sarajevo - By Ken Menkhaus | Foreign Policy