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Ethiopia, Somalia, and the AU |
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The African Union, I believe, has a vital role to play in helping Africa to stabilize and prosper. The organization’s website boldly proclaims that “Africa Must Unite,” voicing a dream that has lived in many hearts since long before the beginning of the postcolonial period. Many AU initiatives, especially their decision to send peacekeepers to Darfur when other international authorities hesitated, are praiseworthy.
By making contradictory statements concerning the escalating conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia’s Union of Islamic Courts, however, the AU has blundered. Furthermore, it has allowed itself to appear indecisive and easily swayed by outside pressure.
First, on Tuesday, December 26th, the AU declared its support for the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia and, according to a BBC report, “conceded that the union had failed to act in time.”
Then, earlier today, after meeting with the Arab League and IGAD, an East African association, the AU reversed its position and demanded that Ethiopian troops withdraw immediately from Somalia.
The outcome of Ethiopia’s military strikes into Somalia will include, if nothing else, further chaos for a country that has already experienced 15 years of anarchy and endemic violence. The African Union, whose influence could provide authority and restraint in conflicts such as this, has for the moment failed to respond firmly and decisively. Sadly, in doing so it joins the ranks of other international organizations whose failure to take a stand against war and violence permits further bloodshed.
