Danger in the Horn of Africa

The Eastern Part of Africa, more popularly known as the Horn of Africa has had few good times. This region has been the focus of attention to the rest of the world on account of floods, Draughts and Famine. But, now the West will turn its attention to he region again, this time for the factor of War. The declaration of an all out War between Ethiopia and Somalia has increased the tension in the region.

Somalia is an example of a failed state. Years of neglect by the outside world has led to the economy of the country collapsing, and the social set up of the country in chaos. The Government is completely weak, and it is the local War-Lords that rule most of Somalia. The US launched an operation with UN backing in 1993 to drive out the Somalian War-lords. It only resulted in the death of 18 American Marines, as well as the UN pulling out of the whole operation. Ever since that time, the economy has collapsed, unemployment is high and the people are turning more towards Crime and Terrorism. The Droughts, Famines and the Floods of all the previous and present years has only made the plight of the Somali people even more desperate.

Ethiopia on the other hand has battled with not only Drought and Famine, but also with a neighbouring Country. Ethiopia has been in a state of War with its neighbour Eritrea for quiet some time now. The Predominantly Christian Government in Ethiopia has waged War with Islamic Eritrea, with an escalation in conflict in the year 2000. The UN has brokered a ceasefire between the two sides, but it has achieved very little in ending the standoff.

Now, this current conflict is concerned about the rise of the Islamists as well as over Mogadischu, the capital of Somalia. Both these sides have been steadily engaged in skirmishes in and around the Border Areas, as well as on the shoreline. The Transitional Government, who has recieved UN recognition, is now been protected by the Ethiopians, but the government does not have much support around Somalia. Hence, the prospects of War between the two countries now seems to be one step closer, and this would have dire implications for the whole region.

Somalia has witnessed Anarchy for the last 15 years, and now with the country in chaos, the population is gearing up for War. The United States of America accuses the Islamists in Somalia to providing a safe haven for Al-Qaeda terrorists, and this is seen as another less talked about front in the ongoing War on Terror. Ethiopia, with the backing of the US, is now preparing for a battle against the Islamists, who await them.

This War, when it takes place, will have dire implications for the whole central region of Africa. With the failure of Sudan with regards to Darfur, as well as the anarchy and tension in the Horn of Africa, the future indeed looks grim for this part of Africa. The West should now realize that it is on account of their ignorance in this region that Anarchy and Collapse took place. Now, they are once more having to confront a War in this region, and the result could be a bloodbath, as one US senator aptly put it.