Wednesday, 6th July 2011
It is increasingly becoming clear that the war in Somalia is sustained by outside forces keen on entrenching the militant brand of Islam espoused by the Al Shabaab for purely political reasons.
One of the forces mentioned is the Government of Eritrea. President Kibaki has backed action by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development over the destabilising influence of Eritrea on the Horn of Africa.
If it is indeed true that Eritrea has been using Al Shabaab to settle scores with its bitter enemy, Ethiopia – with which it remains in a virtual state of war despite a tenuous peace treaty – then it is directly culpable in the displacement of millions from their homes over the years, and the deaths of thousands more in a brutal civil war that so far appears to have no end in sight.
Kenya is directly affected by the constant flood of refugees and illegal small arms into the country as a result of the war.
Thousands more have fled Sudan due to renewed clashes between the North and South.
Kenyan youth unable to get jobs, are opting to join terrorist cells linked to Al Shabaab. Due to the vast border between the two countries, known terrorists and militants are able to find safe haven by crossing into Kenya unnoticed.
While aiding Kenyan security personnel in manning the borders, the most certain way to bring security to the Horn is to end the conflict in Somalia.
While cutting off military and financial supplies to the militants has been difficult because of the lack of infrastructure in the country and the porous borders, leaning on countries like Eritrea to change their ways can make a big difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment