THE KENYA CRISIS: INSTABILITY PILES ON IN EAST AFRICA!

by Scott A Morgan
via email
For what its worth the Kenyan Elections were nothing more than an excuse for
extremists to go on a Rampage. There was one Group the Kikuyus which had
such a stranglehold on Power in the Country that the other 22 Ethnic Groups
became Disenfranchised. So when the violence began in the Western Part of
Kenya resulting in the deaths of over a thousand people and having Hundreds
of Thousands lose their homes and businessess It was felt that a resolution
of this crisis was needed in a quick short of time.*

During the Week of Feburary 2nd a Mediation Effort was held in Kenya. Under
the stewardship of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan it appears that a
Coalition Government may soon take power in Nairobi. These talks were held
as Hearings were Held in Washington to determine what course of action will
be taken by the United States. There are reports of 10 Individuals that have
been notified by the US Embassy in Nairobi that they cannot travel to the
United States under any circumstance due to their role in the violence after
the Elections.

Sadly however Kenya is not the only trouble spot in East Africa at this
time. While Kenya has been the focus of most of the World's Journalists and
Politicans there are ample enough reasons for concern in the whole region.
The Situation in Somalia still remains in a state of flux as the flow of
Peacekeepers in an African Union Force remains at a trickle at best.
Ethiopian Forces intervened there in late 2006 and still remain in a
Quagmire that reminds some people of the current efforts by the United
States in Iraq. The Islamist Opposition remains defiant as it launches
sproadic attacks across the country.*

There is a situation developing once again along the border between Ethiopia
and Eritrea. In an act that can be seen as nothing but Spiteful the
Government of Eritrea halted all Fuel Supplies to the UN Force that patrolls
the Common Border. In recent days that force has relocated across the border
into Ethiopia. The War of Words between the two Neighbors continues unabated
at this time. There have been persisitent Threats of an Ethiopian Invasion
for several Months now amid Reports that Eritrea has been supporting the
Islamist Insurgency in Somalia. In March the Members of the Eritrean
Opposition will meet in Addis Ababa to form a Government in Exile. There
are some reports that in case of another round of Hostilities between
Ethiopia and Eritrea this Body could provide the forces to do the Bidding of
Ethiopia.*

Finally lets discuss Darfur. The Suprise Offensive by the Chadian Rebels was
a masterstroke in delaying the Arrival of an EU Force to Chad. The timing
was such that it prevented the Irish Contingent from actually leaving
Ireland. To some people the situation in Chad is a microcosm of what is
currently happening in Darfur. Also Khatoum continues to hinder any efforts
to rein in the violence that is occuring in the Province. A recent offensive
by the Sudanese Government killed at least 200 people in Darfur. Sadly this
cycle of violence never seems to end in this part of Africa.*

On the whole the region is volatile. If one adds the situations in Uganda
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo then one can possibly consider the
region to be a Powderkeg. There are a large number of Small Arms floating
around the region. There are also a large number of Refugees as well that
are literally living hand to mouth. There are a number of Rebel Groups and
disatisfied People as well and both of those facts add to the volatile
Chemistry of the Region as a whole. And they need to be difused as soon as
it is not only Possible but Pracitcal.*

How can these situations be diffused? Timely Diplomatic Initiatives can work
wonders if done effiecently. The Downside is that it is a Time Consuming
Process that also tries Patience. Economic Assistance Programs by the Major
Industrial Powers can alleviate some of the Economic Hardships as well as
improving the Infrastructure as well. Some People will not react positively
to or react well to Diplomacy so then threats of Intervention have to be
used. At this time Most Americans probably would not react well to American
Forces Intervening in another Country to prop up a Faltering Government.*

This region is the only part of Africa where there are actually US Forces is
the Horn of Africa Region. US Forces did provide some assistance to
Ethiopian Forces as they moved through and consolidated their hold on
Somalia. US Planes have assisted Rwandan Forces deploy to Darfur as part of
their efforts to be Peacekeeepers in Darfur as well. So the US has some
interests in the region as a whole. A Stable Kenya, A Functioning Somalia
and an Ethiopian Government that does not act like a bully are instrumental
for a positive US Policy outlook for the Region. Later on this year the US
will elect a New President and then we will see how this policy shifts if it
does at all.*

The Author is the Editor of Confused Eagle (morganrights.tripod.com)

Related:
The vigor of in Which ODM supporters have worked PR wise internationally to make their case gives me something to be proud. They have lobbied Congress and were able to stop the state department right on its tracks as it tried to backtrack and give Kibaki the benefit of the doubt. I am proud that ODM distinguished Members in Diaspora have worked so hard to be the vanguard of the Kenyans voters and to OWN the ODOM Party. Raila will one day look back and be proud of how these foot soldiers have embraced this struggle.

Same cannot be said about PNU. Its members in Diaspora were not able to do anything tangible to counter the missteps of its party heads. I think one lesson has to be learnt is that PR is very important. There is no need of certain cabinet minister to be given platform and instead of answering the thought questions decides to throw tantrums

On this end I have to say I am a Proud ODM supporter. Personally I didn't do anything but for those that did God will reward you kindly.

Last edited by Njamba (Today 14:34:44)
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