As security improves in Somalia, work with Ethiopia and the TFG to design a quick, sequenced departure of Ethiopian forces from Somalia so as to encourage broader Somali support for a new government of national unity.
On a contingency basis, request the UN to draw up plans for a peacekeeping operation that would replace the small African Union presence and would actually keep the peace rather than try to separate warring factions.
Be prepared to offer substantial logistical support for standing up a UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Make a concerted effort to reach out to the Somali diaspora in the U.S. to solicit ways it can help to bring peace and stability to Somalia. Help Ethiopia and Eritrea identify confidence building measures that may
eventually lead to Ethiopian acceptance of the Boundary Commission’s decision followed by practical adjustments along the border that are acceptable to both countries. Encourage both Ethiopia and Eritrea to end support for groups whose goal is to destabilize the situation in the other’s country.
Following the departure of UNMEE from Eritrea, insist that it maintain observers inside Ethiopia along the border so that it can assign blame for any military incursion across the Ethiopian-Eritrean frontier. If requested by the UN, assign a significant number of U.S. personnel to this effort, certainly more than the tiny number that has participated in UNMEE. Continue and even increase the high-level attention devoted to ensuring implementation of the CPA in Sudan. Initiate a working group of government and non-government experts from the Horn, a few European and Arab countries, and China to identify and suggest solutions for the root causes of both domestic and international terrorism in the region.
Put front and center counterterrorism programs that mitigate the root causes of terrorism and the environment in the Horn that sustains both domestic terrorists and those coming from outside the region. Engage governments in the region on their responsibility to reduce social and economic inequality and political marginalization as important ways to reduce both conflict and support for terrorist groups. Engage governments and groups inside and outside the region to end their support for religious ideology of whatever persuasion that expressly encourages intolerance.
Increase support for democracy, good governance, and anti-corruption programs in Ethiopia and be prepared to initiate funding for such programs in Somalia and Eritrea when the situation permits. Provide additional funding for basic education programs, especially in the Somali language, conducted over the radio and which also contain useful civic lessons that include encouragement of religious and ethnic tolerance. Identify and, where desired by host governments, fund programs, even on a pilot basis that help reduce youth unemployment.
-END
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FORUM | 4 Comments
I didn’t read much about Ethiopian internal problems.David Shinn seem to be all in all satisfied with it. I don’t see the logic as to how a corrupt racist dictatorial regime like EPRDF could help bring about peace and stability in the region except worsen it.
I doubt that Mr. Shinn thought half way in the interest of the Ethiopian people.
I guess that’s part of the famous double-standard-morale of good old America.
[Reply]
March 12th, 2008 at 9:16 AM
mr shinn, can you define the simple termnology of’ democracy’ ?
[Reply]
March 12th, 2008 at 4:53 PM
That is never a scholarly article and I have always considered David Shinn as a weak politician with little analytical capacity. I am extremely disappointed by the fact that he never emphasized democtratization and gradual and systematic trasition from dictatorial rule to governments with broad based democratic insititutions as the only viable option for peace and stability in the horn of Africa. Besides, he has and should never be considered a true of the oromo, and for that matter, all justice loving people in the horn in general and Ethiopia in particular. It was a pity that such persons were appointed as Ambassadors by the greatest nation on earth. I am embarassed by this amateur analysis from a so called senior politician.
Laluta Continua!!!
[Reply]
March 13th, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Mr shinn, please think as human being.your and your colleages double standard will lead USA no where, only ressession, inflation , deficit and regression, because your bosses have tried to install very ill and short sighted foreign policy against the wish of all countries. Look how is china doing in Africa? china has invested 9b euros only in congo for reconstruction. It is very sad USA’s diplomates in Africa like yamamotto, vicky, freazzer and mr shinn, are dancing with Africa dicators behind.SHAME ON YOU ALL
[Reply]
March 15th, 2008 at 2:48 PM