The BBC News reported on Friday that the fighting in Somalia has halted for the moment after the Ethiopian forces chased Somalian insurgents out of the suburbs of Mogadishu. According to the U.N., heavy fighting in the past two months has caused more displaced people in Somalia than in any other country in the world.

Stephanie Bunker, spokeswoman for UN relief coordinator John Holmes, said at least 350,000 people had fled fighting in Mogadishu since February. There is also concern for those trapped in the city, where more than 600 have died from acute diarrhoea and cholera. (Source: BBC 'Worst Refugee Crisis')

The Ethiopian troops stepped in to support the weak government in Somalia, but have met with a mixed reception. Many Somalis do not want Ethiopian military in their country. The Ethiopian military is being hampered in part by the many Somalis who are making a living on war. Somalia has not had a stable government since 1991. Decades of turmoil have fueled a booming business in weapons.

Many businessmen in Mogadishu make a living supplying weapons to the various tribes that have been warring. They have no skills that are especially useful in a peaceable society. Therefore, they also have no use for a stable government that might both decrease the need for weapons and may also begin to tax their businesses as well. These disgruntled businessmen are attacking government and Ethiopian troops, and are supplying weapons and money to insurgents. And they are surprisingly open about it.

Omar Hussein Ahmed, an olive oil exporter in Mogadishu, the capital, said he and a group of fellow traders recently bought missiles to shoot at government soldiers.

“Taxes are annoying,” he explained.
(Source: NYT--Those Who Feed Off Anarchy)

Some fear that the Ethiopian military is now involved in a conflict as difficult to declare victory over as the current U.S-Iraq involvement, and possibly even more difficult to withdraw from. After all, Ethiopia and Somalia share a border. It is very much in Ethiopia's best interests to have their neighbor ruled by a stable government. But helping to ensure that is becoming an increasingly challenging proposition.

More on this story: BBC-Somalia's Total Nighmare


Past Posts on the Ethiopia/Somalia Conflict:
7/15/06 Ethiopia/Somalia Border Dispute
7/23/06 Ethiopia and Somalia Escalate Conflict
12/23/06 Fighting in Somalia
1/09/07 U.S. Somalia Air Strikes 'Kill Many'