Eritrea can help make peace
President Yoweri Museveni unexpectedly changed his itinerary by passing through Eritrea on his way back from Asia. His Eritrean counterpart clearly took the visit seriously. President Issaias Afeworki travelled all the way to the Red Sea port of Massawa to receive him.
President Yoweri Museveni unexpectedly changed his itinerary by passing through Eritrea on his way back from Asia. His Eritrean counterpart clearly took the visit seriously. President Issaias Afeworki travelled all the way to the Red Sea port of Massawa to receive him.
Museveni and Afeworki have a lot in common. Both fought dictatorial regimes, supported by super-powers. Both managed to win popular support for their struggle by providing political education and basic services in the ‘liberated’ areas. Both were hailed as the new breed of African leaders by former US President Bill Clinton, though the Ethiopia-Eritrea war later eroded that image.
There is another experience both presidents share which has marked them profoundly. They know what it feels like being abandoned by the world and having to do it on their own. They share a deep mistrust for the international community and the UN in particular, and believe that, ultimately, they can only rely on their own strength.
Both presidents now find themselves on opposite sides in the Somali conflict. Whereas Uganda supports the transitional government, Eritrea is accused of backing the Islamists who fight the government. Its information minister has called upon the Ugandan peacekeepers to get out.
Eritrea’s position is prompted by two factors. It has long been suspected of giving aid to a variety of rebels in a bid to destabilise Ethiopia. Its policy on Somalia could be part of that game.
Moreover, failure by the West to make Ethiopia comply with the conclusions of the Boundary Commission, marking their disputed border, has deepened Eritrea’s suspicion of the US and pushed it closer to the Arab world.
But Eritrea’s stance is unacceptable. The decision to send an African peacekeeping force to Somalia was taken by the African Union, of which Eritrea is a member state. Opposing the mission now places Eritrea outside the AU.
Apart from that, Uganda and Eritrea do not differ about the long term solution for Somalia: to promote dialogue among all factions and push for a broad based government, including the Islamic Courts. Since both countries have an interest in a stable Somalia, let the common ground between the two leaders prevail.
Museveni and Afeworki have a lot in common. Both fought dictatorial regimes, supported by super-powers. Both managed to win popular support for their struggle by providing political education and basic services in the ‘liberated’ areas. Both were hailed as the new breed of African leaders by former US President Bill Clinton, though the Ethiopia-Eritrea war later eroded that image.
There is another experience both presidents share which has marked them profoundly. They know what it feels like being abandoned by the world and having to do it on their own. They share a deep mistrust for the international community and the UN in particular, and believe that, ultimately, they can only rely on their own strength.
Both presidents now find themselves on opposite sides in the Somali conflict. Whereas Uganda supports the transitional government, Eritrea is accused of backing the Islamists who fight the government. Its information minister has called upon the Ugandan peacekeepers to get out.
Eritrea’s position is prompted by two factors. It has long been suspected of giving aid to a variety of rebels in a bid to destabilise Ethiopia. Its policy on Somalia could be part of that game.
Moreover, failure by the West to make Ethiopia comply with the conclusions of the Boundary Commission, marking their disputed border, has deepened Eritrea’s suspicion of the US and pushed it closer to the Arab world.
But Eritrea’s stance is unacceptable. The decision to send an African peacekeeping force to Somalia was taken by the African Union, of which Eritrea is a member state. Opposing the mission now places Eritrea outside the AU.
Apart from that, Uganda and Eritrea do not differ about the long term solution for Somalia: to promote dialogue among all factions and push for a broad based government, including the Islamic Courts. Since both countries have an interest in a stable Somalia, let the common ground between the two leaders prevail.