The Somalia Turmoil and Ethiopia’s national interest

The Somalia Turmoil and Ethiopia’s national interest Somalia has been without a functional national government for 15 years and counting. The transitional government that is supported by Ethiopia is clearly losing ground amongst the Somalia people. The dispute between the transitional government and the Islamic courts is a dispute between the two entities, period. Does Ethiopia have a legitimate national interest in the outcome of the resolution of the dispute? Yes. Whether Somalia would prove itself a stable country to the east of Ethiopia or not is a matter of national interest for Ethiopia on a host of many issues. But that does not mean Ethiopia must actively work to see to it which party is winning in such struggle. It is up to the people of Somalia to decide. Thus, Ethiopia should refrain from being a self-appointed ‘judge’ of the dispute. The Ethiopian government should stand in solidarity with the people of Somalia as they work their way through the dispute and wait and see. Wait and see is a good and sensible policy for now.