Key findings include:
- A sense of utter fatigue and desperation about life in Somalia.
- Deep concern over both western involvement in Somalia and foreign support for al-Shabaab.
- Unhappiness about the harmful effect of foreign intervention in Somalia and rejection of the use of private security firms by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
- A tendency to reject any future role in Somalia for the international community.
- A belief that clanism has caused Somalia’s descent into lawlessness and the business community continues to profit from the conflict.
- Futility with TFG efforts to end the chaos.
- A belief that al-Shabaab has made a mockery of Islam.
- Generally more unfavorable than favorable views of the international community, especially toward the United States and Ethiopia.
- A strong desire for a unified Somalia but also growing support for a federal system.
- Rejection of the 4.5 power-sharing formula based on clans.
- A desire for political parties that are not based on clans.
- Growing support for a new constitution.
- Enthusiastic support for the public consultation process in preparing a new constitution.
- A tendency to welcome the return of Somalis from the diaspora but concern that they are out of touch with current realities in Somalia.
- A strong believe that political reconciliation must be Somali led.
