nazret.com

Heads of State at the Horn of Africa region at a recent IGAD meeting (file) Photo Reuters

IGAD Incapable of Resolving Somali Crisis, Says Analyst

VOA

A Somali political analyst told VOA the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional organization, is incapable of resolving the ongoing crisis in Somalia.

Afyare Abdi Elmi, a professor of international affairs at Qatar University, said there are reasons to believe that Ethiopia is making efforts to inject itself into the ongoing Somali peace process by using IGAD’s mandate to achieve its objective.

“IGAD to me is a very weak regional organization, which is often dominated by the regional power, which is Ethiopia. So, basically, Ethiopia is trying to re-insert itself by using IGAD and it is trying to dominate the peace process in general,” he said.

IGAD’s Assembly of Heads of State and Government kicked off a two-day summit in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, Sunday.

The summit, among other things, discussed the way forward in attaining a lasting solution for security and political problems that have plagued Somalia for decades.

The two-day summit was also scheduled to review the 36th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers, a report of the IGAD Military Experts' Mission to Somalia, and consideration of the draft communiqué of the 15th Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government.

But, professor Elmi said the regional bloc has demonstrated its inability to resolve the Somali crisis.

“It (IGAD) cannot pay even its own budget, let alone resolve the conflicts that are taking place in the region. So, it’s almost impossible to even expect as little as helping the region or, perhaps, some of the countries within the region,” Elmi said.

He further said that whenever a regional power such as Ethiopia tries to push its agenda in the Horn of Africa region, it usually uses IGAD as an instrument to attain its objective, a charge Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government denied.

Ethiopia has often said that it is committed to working with the Somali government, as well as the international community, to help resolve the escalating crisis in neighboring Somalia.

Established in 1986 with its headquarters in Djibouti, IGAD members comprise Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

Prime Minister Zenawi is currently the chairman of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Professor Elmi said the international community should have seized “precious” moments to help resolve the Somali crisis.

“The international community has missed so many opportunities in the past. There were times that the momentum was on the side of the international community, and those who (were) willing to ginger (make more lively) the situation, and obviously we have missed that. The international community should be firm and talk to the leadership of the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) and tell them that this cabinet is way too large,” Elmi said.

Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo (C), the newly-elected president of Somaliland, is greeted by supporters AFP

Ethiopia praises Somaliland polls

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Ethiopia pledged support Sunday for Somaliland and praised the breakaway state's presidential candidates for carrying out a peaceful transfer of power after polls last week.

"The government of Ethiopia pays tribute ... to (outgoing) President Dahir Riyale Kahin for his high sense of obligation to the people of Somaliland ... and to the leader of the winning party Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo for his magnanimity and for his commitment," a foreign ministry statement said.

"The people of Somaliland can always count on the full support of the government and people of Ethiopia as they continue to preserve their peace and stability and ensure the democratic process is protected," it added.

Silaanyo won June 26 polls that were praised by observers for being transparent and peaceful despite threats of attacks from the Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab operating in neighbouring Somalia.

The president-elect subsequently vowed to campaign "vigorously" for international recognition for his Horn of Africa republic.

The former British colony has close political and commercial ties with regional powerhouse Ethiopia, but Addis Ababa has so far declined to grant recognition and only maintains a trade office in Hargeisa.

Tacked on to Somalia when the latter gained independence from Italy in 1960, Somaliland has remained reasonably stable, spared the clan warfare that has dogged Somalia thanks to the domination of the Issaks.

It broke away from Somalia in 1991, after the overthrow of Siad Barre plunged the country into anarchy.

Silaanyo's election marks the second democratic transfer of power in 19 years, which voters saw as a fresh opportunity to demonstrate their aspiring state's democratic credentials.

The region has been spared much of the violence that has ravaged Somalia, where an Islamist insurgency is battling to overthrow the Western-backed government of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Chris Dunn, cdunn@ajc.com Gebre Gebremariam (right) of Ethiopia defeats Peter Kirui of Kenya by a half step for first place finish in the AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4, 2010. It was one of the closest finishes in the race’s history. Gebremariam won in a time of 27 minutes, 56 seconds.

Ethiopia - Gebre Gebremariam wins Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta

Ethiopia's Gebre Gebremariam won a sprint to the finish by a half-step over Peter Kirui of Kenya to win the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Georgia. Gebremariam’s time was 27 minutes 56 seconds for the 10-kilometer, or 6.2-mile, race. This was only Gebremariam’s second 10K street race.

The top woman was the defending champion, Lineth Chepkurui, in 30:51. An estimated 55,000 runners finished the race, according to media reports.

-----------
Peachtree Road Race ends with thrilling finish

With eyes affixed on a finish line banner and two men approaching side-by-side, fans craned their necks to identify the victor of an electric Peachtree Road Race.

And with an equally minute shift of Gebre Gebremariam’s own body, he managed to steal victory.

Despite sharing a time of 27 minutes and 56 seconds with runner-up Peter Kirui of Kenya, Gebremariam emerged as the sole victor in one of the closest finishes in the race’s history.

Read More from AJC