Somalia's instability is not Ethiopia's fault
Dear Editor,
Your article Violence, fear and confusion.. (10th Jan) implies that Somalia was stable and at peace before Ethiopia’s intervention in 2006. Assumptions used to criticize Ethiopia in relation to the instability are unfounded and fallacious. Lack of peace and stability in Somalia prevailed well before 2006 and dates from the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991. The instability in Somalia is the result of lack of a state structure and responsible government since that time. As all true experts in Somalia know very well, the rise of irresponsible warlords with their narrow political agenda resulted in a chaotic situation in Somalia. Ethiopia has continually assisted the political forces in Somalia to negotiate and find a political solution, and from the outset Ethiopia has called upon the international community to act in a serious fashion in tackling the political instability in Somalia. Ethiopia warned, before anyone, of the impending implications for the security of Somalia, of the region in particular and of the international community at large of lack of action to support the political process. The process that led to the establishment of the two transitional governments of Somalia – one led by Yusuf Abdulahi the other by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed – are the result of a protracted political dialogue among political forces in Somalia and it is ridiculous to conclude that these governments are the making of Ethiopia. Furthermore, it is an insult to the Somalis who have been engaged in these protracted negotiations.
The intervention of Ethiopia in Somalia was not, as claimed, initiated by the United States. Ethiopia acted in response to a very direct threat against its national security. As there seems to be a lapse of memory, it is to be recalled that the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) openly declared a jihad war against Ethiopia and promised that its acolytes intended to establish a caliphate government in Addis Ababa. The ICU was not only using threatening words but had assassinated officials in Ethiopian border towns, terrorized civilians and destroyed public and private property including clinics and schools. No responsible government would sit, arms folded, when these attacks took place and when threats to its national security were a real and ongoing danger. We would like to remind those who have forgotten the developments in Somalia, that Ethiopia withdrew once the threat had been reversed. To use Ethiopia as a scapegoat for what has happened in Somalia is deeply erroneous and will lead to mistaken policies that will never resolve the outstanding problems.
The attempt to relate the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea with the instability in Somalia is misleading. Ethiopia’s concern at what is happening in Somalia is genuine as the two countries share a 1,300km border and Ethiopia suffers from the spillover effect. The interventions of Eritrea, which has no common border with Somalia, are dangerous and opportunistic.
The international community has to live up to its responsibility in tackling the problems of Somalia, firstly, by giving all round assistance to forces of stability – the TFG, and secondly, by taking decisive measures against Al Shabaab, which remains a threat to Somalia, to the region as a whole and to the international community. What Somalia needs now is not blame-sharing but coordinated action which provides security assistance for the TFG, addressing the massive humanitarian requirements and triggering the development process immediately. These three actions will strengthen the building blocks for peace in Somalia and the emergence of responsible political forces in Somalia. Some who claim to be experts on Somalia fail to do first-hand research and their conclusions are based on hearsay or on information gathered from those forces bent on de-stabilising Somalia and the region, who are known to work with international extremists such as Al Qaeda.
Yours,
Berhanu Kebede, Ambassador