By Somalilandtimes network

Scott A. Morgan

Nairobi, Kenya, April 3, 2006 – Recently IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) had its 11th annual summit in Nairobi Kenya. This group which is comprised of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda met to discuss several crucial issues to the development of the region.

The main problems in the region are chronic instability and poverty. These are two factors in the development of terrorists and causing wars. As we know Uganda has had a brutal insurgency for almost 20 years going on now and the situation along the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains in flux as both the UN and the United States try to negotiate a settlement.

There have been two areas of hope. First is the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan that ended part of the insurgency in the south of the country. Although the Ugandan Rebels that hide out in the Southern Sudan and in neighboring Congo are making life difficult. The peace in the region is generally holding up well. The main potential monkey wrench can be thrown by the United States as it considers building a base in the region.

Another Success is the reemergence of Somalia. Although there have been recent clashes in Mogadishu a stable Somalia will be beneficial to the region. As positive as these developments are there are two instances where potential strife occur. First is the situation in Ethiopia. It seems that the crackdown on the Opposition is fizzling as International Pressure to release those detained grow. Democracy is young there but it should not be a one-voice debate.

Uganda is rattling sabers again. Earlier this week its ambassador to Kinshasa was called to the Foreign Ministry. The Rhetoric regarding Militias is not helpful as the DRC tries to remerge after a bloody decade of violence. President Museveni seems to be trying to force an issue as he has the support of the White House and a “mandate”.

Now the US plans to expand its focus in East Africa. The Pentagon is planning hard for it. The US is planning for the use of Unmanned Aircraft to hunt terrorists, using Special Forces to hunt the Terrorists as the planners feel that Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia will be targeted in the future by terrorists. The US is also training regional forces as well for counterinsurgency Operations as well.

New information is now emerging regarding the UK is conducting a similar operation in Kenya. Kenyan and Rwandan troops are learning how to remove mines from their borders. These forces are also learning Peacekeeping Operations as well. These Anglo-American efforts are planned to ease the call for Western involvement in African Crises. Stability in East Africa is a good Place to start.

Source: Los Angeles chronicle

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