2022 Year in Review

History plays a vital role in a country’s identity, values and culture, as well as
dictates a State’s interaction with other States. In peace building, mutual
understanding must be the focal consideration between parties. In other words,
without mutual understanding peace talks cannot proceed. When history forms
a part of a country’s identity, culture and values, all future decision making,
foreign policy, economic and bilateral agreements becomes subjective to the
indelible marks made in the past.
In the case of the Ethiopia-Eritrea War, the Eritrean people still feel power had
been stolen from them by the Ethiopian people when King Menelik was
enthroned as Amhara King and shifted power from the traditional base in Tigray
to Amhara in 1889. Fighting has continued for decades, with multiple treaties
signed and broken, yet both countries seem unable to relinquish hostilities of
the past.
Further, African nations often rely on consulting external powers due to bilateral
agreements and existing treaties. Turkiye is a long-standing ally of Somalia.
Ankara is a longtime supporter of Mogadishu, providing humanitarian relief
during Somalia’s worst famine. Somalia has benefited greatly from its
relationship with Turkiye; from the construction of Mogadishu airport,
remodeling of hospitals, opening of the largest embassy in Africa, and as the
main destination for Turkish goods including construction materials, processed
food and other consumables. However, Turkish ground-rooting in Somalia has
been criticised as a political agenda - paving the way for interference in internal
Somali affairs. These include election processes and the provision of weapons to
Turkish-trained Special forces in Somalia who oppose separatists and militia
groups - effectively resulting in Somalia becoming indebted to Turkiye. Somalia
appears to have its lips and hands tied when it comes to decision making and
foreign policy.
This and other similar scenarios can be traced to other African countries where
conflicts are still ongoing. Corruption and poor leadership are key instigators of
the unending wars in Africa. In delivering keynote address, President Sirleaf,
former president of Liberia emphasised “the record is clear that the root causes of
civil conflicts in Africa are bad governance, lack of respect for human rights, socioeconomic
and political inequality and grinding poverty. Liberia is no different”.
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