African Problem, African Solution : Somalia needs some help from its neighbors

The Clinton Administration’s newfound emphasis on an African solution to the Somalia conflict is the right touch--and offers hope. But politics and history impose formidable barriers to success in Mogadishu.

The hope is that the now-infamous warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid will be more responsive to African leaders. Aidid’s recent cease-fire and stopping of attacks on U.N. peacekeepers are welcome; now he should immediately free U.S. helicopter pilot Michael J. Durant, a Nigerian soldier and any other hostages.

The Organization of African Unity is the logical body to work with Aidid. Unfortunately, the OAU lacks a mechanism to resolve conflicts (although it is moving in that direction). There is no African peacekeeping force, nor is there a method by which to create one; also, there are no OAU mediators standing ready.

The OAU’s traditional unwillingness to intervene in the internal affairs of member states stems from the group’s 1963 charter, which emphasizes respect for “non-interference and sovereignty.” Even so, the OAU has not completely ignored the mess in Somalia, which arguably has no government and therefore no state sovereignty.

At the OAU’s request, Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi has tried to encourage peace efforts in neighboring Somalia. Zenawi is expected to play a leading role later this month when African, Arab and Muslim leaders meet in Addis Ababa with U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali over Somalia. Another East African leader, Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki, says he too will help. But religious differences could pose problems; both Zenawi and Afwerki are Christian while Somalia is predominantly Muslim.

Somalia’s other prominent neighbor, Kenya, also has reason to encourage peace. Stability might prompt more than 330,000 Somali refugees to return home. President Daniel Arap Moi has asked the U.N. high commissioner on refugees to send the burdensome Somalis back. Because of a history of clashes with Somalia over land in northern Kenya, and also because Moi has plenty of his own problems as he tries to keep at bay the Kenyans who challenge his authoritarian rule, he may be reluctant to get more involved. But a stable Somalia is clearly in Kenya’s interest.

African leaders who have negotiated democracy at home may be best suited to help Somalis negotiate an incremental return to the rule of government. African neighbors may also bring to bear a better understanding of Somalia’s culture: for example, the role that traditional leaders known as elders could play in rebuilding torn Somalia.

Sure, the United States should help. And President Clinton is correct not to abandon Somalia overnight. But the heart of the work must be done by Africans who have the greatest stake in Africa.