Causes of conflicts in the Horn of Africa.
1.
Colonial legacy and the careless partition of the region. During the
scramble days, various European powers expressed interest in the horn
of Africa. During the partition exercise, the people of Somalia were
divided between Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somali itself. This led
to instability as the divided Somalis tried to re-unite with their
relatives in Somalia.
2. Still under colonial legacy, the Somalians were exposed to different colonial masters; different systems of colonial administration
3. The Italo-Ethiopian Crisis of 1935-41 led to the conquest and destruction of Ethiopia by the Italians.
4. The strategic location of the Horn of Africa has made this region susceptible to political conflicts.
5. The influence of the 2nd World War. Basing themselves in Eritrea and Italian Somali land, the Italians (axis powers) fought against the British in Kenya and Somalia and against the French in French Somali land.
6. The annexation of Eritrea by Ethiopia in 1962 led further instabilities.
7. The Eritrean war of secession led to further political instability in the horn of Africa. Due to the desire for political autonomy, the Eritreans formed the ELF which carried out several hit and run raids on Ethiopian stations.
8. The failure of the British to create unity in the region.
9. Also the Somalia living in Ogaden in Southern Ethiopia wanted to unite with their brothers in Somalia but the British paid a deaf ear - hence the Ogaden crisis of 1977-78.
10. Religious diversity whereby the Ethiopians were Orthodox Christians
while the Eritreans were Muslims led to misunderstandings and war.
11. Islamic fundamentalists who wanted a sharia government worsened religious clashes
12. The extension of the Arab-Israelite conflict in the horn of Africa led to further instabilities.
13. Cold War Politics. Russia wanted to spread its communist/Marxist
ideology and supported Eritrea against Ethiopia. To check against the
spread of communist, U.S.A gave military and financial support to
Ethiopia.
14. Prolonged drought and famine. The horn of Africa suffers from intermittent periods of drought and famine.
15. Djibouti's war of secession led to further instabilities.
16. The activities of Refugees also contributed to political
instability, e.g Refugees from Ogaden into Somalia resorted to cattle
raiding and armed robbery.
17. The rise of dictators in the region also led to instabilities e.g.
Haille Sellasie and Mariam Mengistu of Ethiopia and Siad Barre of
Somalia were dictators who resorted to brutal rule.
18. Ethnic rivalries in Somali have led to civil wars. The clan war
Lords such as Ali Mahdi, Mohammed Farah Aideed, Hussein Aideed and
others all fought for the control of Mogadishu.
19. Poverty. Somali is a very poor country that cannot feed her people.
20. The internal fights between ELF and EPLF
21. Widespread unemployment
22. The refusal of Ethiopia to recognize the boundaries of Somalia and her refusal to recognize the new state of Eritrea.
23. The strategic importance of Djibouti to the French,
The current crisis in Somalia is a colonial heritage. To what extent is this statement true.
Points to consider
The current crisis in Somalia is a colonial heritage. To what extent is this statement true.
Points to consider
- Two colonial masters ruled Somalia: Britain and Italy.
- The British practised divide and rule tactics.
- Some Somali people were taken to Ogaden region, part of Ethiopia.
- Those whom took power after the Italian departure called the Nationalist Somali Youth League lacked experience.
- Other causes of the crisis
- Siad Barre's incompetent leadership.
- Struggles over scarce natural resources.
- Natural calamities especially drought.
- Cold war legacy.
- After the overthrow of Barre, the warlords failed to recognize Ali Mahdi- lust for power.
- Failure to agree on a common constitution after the defeat of Barre.
- Individualism of the Somali people.
- Weaknesses of the OAU
- Weaknesses of the UN
- Events in the former Yugoslavia superceded the Somali civil war ie more attention was given to Yogoslavia.
National Movements and New States in Africa