The recent practices observed in the Horn of Africa must be seen carefully as some actors have been throwing gasoline on the fire on the already existed challenges of the region. Ethiopia, as one of the major actors in the Horn, has witnessed the issue carefully.
Coupled with economic challenges and conflicts, terrorism is one of the main setbacks in the Horn. Ethiopia, in this regard, has been fighting to end terrorism and support governments to stand on their feet.
Adversely, actors from various parts of the world have put their boots in the region to defend their interest, and some even try to affect countries in the Horn, like Ethiopia, negatively. As the region is the most crucial geopolitical sect of the world, everyone wants to find any space to be in the region.
For the past few years, Ethiopia has been deployed their troops to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia and ensured the peace and stability of the country. Ethiopia has also lost its beloved sons and daughters in the process of fighting the terrorist group. In fact, peace and stability, by far, is ensured in Somalia. The international community has also praised Ethiopia’s sacrifices in the peace keeping mission.
The recent accord between Ethiopia and Somaliland on allowing the former to access the sea created disagreement between Ethiopia and Somalia. Similarly, their dispute has created a favorable condition for those enemies of Ethiopia to put the country under pressure.
To rub salt into the wound, Mogadishu has agreed a military cooperation with some Ethiopia’s arch enemies. In such unstable region, adding more actors on any matter will increase the tension. Those actors who got the accord with Somalia have done nothing or never stretched their supporting hands when Somalia was in trouble. On the other hand, Ethiopia has been there and sacrificed its people for its neighbor.
Besides, those around 9000 Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and bilateral agreements should leave the country by the end of the year, the government of Somalia insisted.
Again, based on the military agreement that Somalia agreed with some entities, Mogadishu starts to receive a number of military armaments. According to reports, Egypt has twice delivered a significant amount of military equipment to Somalia after the disagreement with Ethiopia. Egypt also took the opportunity to move closer to Somalia, stoking concerns about rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Accordingly, weaponizing the region may cause severe consequences in the region where peace costs too much. In a country where terrorists roam around, it is a very reckless decision to bring more weapons to the region. Those entities who provide the armaments definitely know the upcoming danger. Rather than avoiding the imminent danger, those organs deliberately pushing forward to dismantle the peace that is gained by people’s blood and bone.
Speaking on the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) lately, Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Taye Atske Selassie called upon the actors to immediately stop their reckless actions in the Horn of Africa and urged the international community to recognize the imminent risk originating from this irresponsible act, a report from local media stated.
Foreign Minister Taye noted that the recent maneuvers of actors from outside the Horn of Africa region would undermine the hard-won war against terrorism.
“We therefore call upon these actors to immediately stop their reckless actions. We also call on the international community to recognize the imminent risk originating from this irresponsible act and to take concrete measures to prevent the loss of hard-won gains in combating terrorism in the Horn of Africa.”
Explaining the recent security situation across the Red Sea region and Indian Ocean, FM Taye said we see a great need to chart a new path for inclusive maritime security engagement with equal participation of countries.
Furthermore, terrorism continues to be a grave threat to the peace and security of the Horn of Africa, he pointed out. The Foreign Minister elaborated that the growing rise of violent extremism like Al-Shabaab and its international and internal affiliates have continued their vicious attack against civilians and security of the region.
He recalled that the East African region has reached a milestone in degrading terrorism through the resilience of the people of Somalia and the sacrifice of the sons and daughters of Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda and his country, Ethiopia.
The authorization of the Security Council and the International Finance for the African Union peace Support operation has indeed played an instrumental role, he pointed out.
In this regard, the Minister urges Somalia’s offices to recognize the tremendous sacrifices that have been made.
“I’m confident the government of Somalia will soon reckon with and recognize the sacrifice we made to Somalis liberation from the grip of terrorist groups.”
Mentioning Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, Taye revealed that it is based on existing political dispensation in Somalia.
“Our objective is shared growth and prosperity in the region. Similar agreements have been concluded by other states, and there is no reason for the government of Somalia to incite hostility that obviously intends to cover internal political tensions.” The Foreign Minister also rejected the unfounded allegation levied against his country.
“Ethiopia’s name can never be associated with any one of the allegations. I rather call on the federal government of Somalia to join hands to eliminate terrorist groups that are causing chaos and mayhem on the people of the region.”
The recent maneuvers of actors from outside the Horn of Africa region undermine these efforts, according to him. Nevertheless, Taye underscored that Ethiopia will not be deterred from its resolute commitment to combating terrorism.
And finally, the Minister reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment for the maintenance of global peace and security, and upholding multilateralism.
In a similar vein, on the sideline meeting, Taye encountered with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations. The FM Taye stressed that any post-ATMIS arrangement should be carefully deliberated, concerning mandate, size, financing, and coordination. The two sides discussed key issues related to peacekeeping, according to Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Lacroix also praised the contributions of Ethiopian peacekeeping troops and the strong relationship Ethiopia maintains with the UN and the Department of Peace Operations.
On preparations for a post ATMIS mission, the Minister reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to combating terrorism, stressing that any post-ATMIS arrangement should be carefully deliberated, concerning mandate, size, financing, and coordination.
The Foreign Minister expressed concerns about external weapons supplies worsening the security situation and potentially ending in the hands of terrorist groups.
BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2024
