Opinion & Analysis
Ethiopia, Eritrea fuelling Somalia war
Armed militants from Somalia’s Hizbul Islam rebel group take position as they guard a roadblock in southern Mogadishu. Violence in Somalia has killed at least 21,000 people in the failed Horn of Africa nation since the start of 2007 and driven another 1.5 million from their homes.” Photo/REUTERS
Posted Wednesday, February 10 2010 at 00:00
Fears of a Taliban-style establishment when ICU was installed were exaggerated.
The ICU communicated to the world they were not interested in holding power; but only creating conditions for self-determination of Somalis.
With Ethiopia’s occupation of Somalia, public opinion continued to turn against the US, TFG and later AMISOM who were all seen as anti-Islam crusaders.
While the Ethiopian forces routed ICU from Somalia, disagreements that ensued led to a break up of the ICU and with that more radical elements within the ranks of ICU were born. Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam emerged while moderates escaped to Djibouti to form the Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia.
The reign of Ethiopian forces in Mogadishu has been the single most important factor that has catapulted al-Shabaab to fame and power.
Ethiopia, a Christian country has had a long history of hostility with Somalia-largely Muslim- and they have fought several wars over territory.
The decision to invade was not well thought out and the crimes committed by Ethiopian soldiers on local population are yet to be accounted for.
Even so, Ethiopia continues to defile Somalia’s territory at will and this brings in Eritrea.
In December 23, 2009 the UN Security Council imposed sanctions against Eritrea for her destabilising role in the Horn of Africa.
Eritrea was also directed to withdraw her forces from a contested border area with Djibouti--a country where 1200 US marines and a contingent of French soldiers are stationed in line with UNSC resolution 1862 of January 2009.
Continued Eritrea-Ethiopia enmity emanates from the rulings by International Boundary Commission that has not been adhered to by the parties.
Hence in their primitive dash for influence, Ethiopia and Eritrea with their respective allies have been struggling to outdo each other in Somalia.
A set of simple measures could nudge opinion in Somalia for conducive environment for talks.
The AU and UN must insist on international community to enforce the rulings by International Boundary Commission to end Ethiopia-Eritrea proxy wars in Somalia.
This would reduce the opposing frictions and clear the ground of invisible forces fanning the conflict.
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