The Horn of Africa future depends on taming the Radicals in Somalia.

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(Aigaforum, Nov 26, 2006)

The United Nations study on Somalia clearly shows the many hands involved in the conflict though some of the countries involved are down playing the report. Clearly most of the countries invloved in this conflict have one thing in common,that is they had like to weaken Ethiopia. Some are invloved to help "Isalmic Somalia" against "Christan Ethiopia".Although some are trying to paint the conflict between the jihadist in Somalia and Ethiopia as a conflict between Christian Ethiopia and Muslim Somalia the truth is it is not! And here is why.

Firstly, the Horn of Africa home to Lucy the earliest human species remain to date is home to the two main religions. The region holds many ancient religious institutions of both faiths. In northern Ethiopia alone there are thousands of religious establishment dating to the Prophet Mohammed and early Christianity. In fact while Christians claim the Arch of Covenant is stored and kept in Axum, the Moslem community all over the world gives immense gratitude to Ethiopia for giving sanctuary to the family of the prophet Mohammed. The early followers of the Prophet Mohammed were given sanctuary in Northern Ethiopia when they were persecuted. It is true past Ethiopian rulers from both faith in the past have subjugated the other faith followers but that was an exception in Ethiopia’s long history. Ethiopia has been home to both religions for hundreds of years and today Ethiopia is a country home to an evenly divided people of the two faith followers. The Muslim community is free to practice its faith and gets its justices through the sharia law.

Secondly, the conflict is not between two historical enemies. At a time where the stated maxim that states “there are no lasting friends but lasting interests”, the extremist in the ICU tend to frame their agenda with historical enemy Ethiopia. Ethiopia may have fought two wars with Somalia before but the current regime in Ethiopia is drastically different than the old regime. The present Ethiopian government, far from seeing Somalia as enemy, has been working to reconcile warring functions in Somalia to help them find a lasting solution to their problem.

The current tension is mainly due to a rise of the extreme elements, namely AIAI's [Al-Ittihad Al-Islami’s], headed by the notorious Sheikh 'Aweys' in the ICU. Al-Ithads treat to Ethiopia dates back to the mid 90’s where “As commander of the Harekal Askari, the military wing of AIAI, in the mid-1990s, Sheikh 'Aweys' was deeply involved in a series of terrorist operations in eastern Ethiopia, in close cooperation with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) whose aspirations were supported by AIAI. AIAI claimed responsibility for a number of bomb attacks on hotels in Dire Dawa, Harar and Jijiga as well as in Addis Abeba. There were several assassination attempts, including the shooting in Addis Abeba of Abdul Majeed Hussein, minister of Transport and Communications and head of the Ethiopian Somali Democratic League, as well as other shootings and killings in Gode, Deghabur, Kebridar and Warder, and attacks on the railway and on government vehicles throughout the Ogaden region of the Ethiopian Somali State.” [Ethio-Eritrean Factors in the Somalian Saga]

The fact that the jihadist poses a clear and present danger is well documented. It had openly declared jihad on Ethiopia more than once and it had told the world its plan to incorporate the Somali region from Ethiopia. It is also actively involved in collaborating with local elements such as the ONLF in destabilizing Ethiopia by creating religious conflicts.

The Prime Minster of Ethiopia has made it clear that Ethiopia, as a sovereign nation, has the inherent right to defend itself against attack from the jihadist in Somalia. He has also asked for the need to show a united face against the external treat. It is encouraging that the parties in the parliament have understood the dimension of the problem and the need for consensus. Unfortunately the extremes in the Diaspora, who have tangled themselves in the web of treason by their unity with the ONLF and Shabia, are denying even the openly declared war declarations of the jihadist on Ethiopia. We call on the extreme Diaspora to think twice and see the danger posed by these extremists as real.

While the Prime Minster has made it clear that Ethiopia is ready to defend itself, it is imperative that the Ethiopian government not underestimates the extent of the influence of regional forces and to not overlook the people that have supported the ICU. It needs to draw a clear exit strategy in the event intervention in Somalia is the only solution to defeat the present danger. Ethiopia should not only win the war but also the battle.

We support any necessary measured response by the government to eliminate the clear and present danger hovering on Ethiopia.