• ASR V13N2 2004 frans 8/9/04 1:54 PM Page 1 EDITORIAL THE HORN OF HOPE IQBAL JHAZBHAY Since the previous edition of the African tively “South Africa’s status as a force for Security Review, four critical foundational ini- strengthening democracy and good gover- tiatives of the African Union (AU) have come nance in Africa”.1 into effect. Along with this up-beat continental mood, In Addis Ababa, for the first time, repre- recently, the historic signing of a peace accord sentatives of the ruling and opposition parties between the Government of Sudan and the were represented at the newly launched Pan- Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement African Parliament (PAP); the AU Peace and (SPLA/M), mediated by Kenya, gave a ray of Security Council (PSC), with an able hope to the Horn of Africa2. Hopefully, the Commissioner, got to the chase by tackling people of this region will no longer carry the key human security questions on the conti- dubious distinction of hosting Africa’s oldest nent. Importantly, the move from the dis- conflict. quieting concept of “non-interference” to that The successful, yet fragile and little known of non-indifference of human tragedies, was transition to democracy in the north-western introduced. Equally affirming was the founda- area of Somalia, now known as Somaliland, tional work for the establishment of the provides further hope to the Horn of Africa. African Court of Human and Peoples Rights Somaliland conducted district local (2002) and, the civil society arm of the AU, the and presidential elections (2003), under the Economic Social and Cultural Council gaze of key international observers, from (ECOSOCC). Correctly, the AU Secretary- countries such as Ethiopia, South Africa and General, Alpha Konare, declared that the AU Norway. One of Somaliland President Kahin’s is not the OAU. first decisions was to appoint Edna Adan as Closer to home, as this edition of African Minister of Foreign Affairs, the most senior Security Review was being edited, South Africa position yet held by a woman in any Somali held its third successful democratic elections government and in the Horn of Africa. All with a record number of election observers three elections were the first to be held in this from Africa. In an unprecedented move, at region since the military coup of 19693. least in Africa, the UN, the European Union Parliamentary elections in Somaliland are now and the Commonwealth stayed away from the scheduled for 29 March 2005. South African elections in a show of confi- The AU Chairperson, Alpha Konare, in his dence in the country’s ability to deliver a free recent report on Somalia alerted the world poll. African election observers viewed posi- with his resonating point that this new seces- IQBAL JHAZBHAY University of South Africa • ASR V13N2 2004 frans 8/9/04 1:54 PM Page 2 2 African Security Review 13(2) • 2004 sionist state, “Somaliland has continued to mitment and political will of all related groups experience relative peace and stability, com- to implement stability and governance on the pared to the other regions of Somalia” and ground and, notably, to come to grips with “welcomed the continued stability of the larger interests of the country. The emer- Somaliland”.4 This report has a refreshing ging government of Mogadisho will do well to approach away from that of the clumsy diplo- thread carefully in dealing with the function- matic purgatory5, which encircles the ing government of Somaliland and to preserve Somaliland situation in all its irresolution. their hard earned peace and stability. Clearly, amidst the brutish instability of poli- Against this backdrop, where creative ideas tics, and the resultant pulvarisation of the and commitment will be required, this edition region’s infrastructure, it is really the sheer of African Security Review could not be more political will of the people of Sudan and perfectly timed. It is appropriately framed Somaliland to press on, that has led to the around the scholarly inquiries and holds a refreshing breakthroughs. special treat, which will challenge policy ma- Fortunately, refreshing leadership that kers as they grapple with possible political and embraces the ethos of reconciliation, has put diplomatic solutions in the Horn of Africa. into place an emerging continental security In this respect, Ian Spears, in his rigorous- architecture, which will do all that is possible ly researched article considers the challenges to ensure that the bad echoes of history are African states present in terms of develop- not repeated. ment and conflict resolution. He brilliantly The recent Darfur humanitarian crisis in examines both the arguments in favour of and Sudan, a bizarre debacle which could threaten against reforming Africa’s borders, and recog- Sudan’s best hopes for peace in a decade, nizing new states. It argues that the current all- highlights once again that mistrust runs deep or-nothing calcified approach to recognition in Sudan. More sustained work by the govern- obstructs a satisfactory resolution of this ment of Sudan will be needed to address the debate. New and varied approaches to states economic and political marginalisation of this and boundaries need to be considered. This region, which is fuelling discontent and con- article is of particular value to the Horn of flict. International attention, including the Africa debates in Sudan and Somalia on suc- visit of the AU chairperson, the South African cession and recognition. Spears concludes by led AU Post Conflict Reconstruction assess- proposing four approaches to dealing with ment team, the UN Secretary-General’s visit dysfunctional African states. The effort and and that of US Secretary of State, is a wel- scope of Spear’s work are evidence of the come sign in the constantly evolving tract of scholarly intent to explore an exhaustive and peace building, democratic consolidation and creative way towards nurturing stability and new ways of thinking and acting. development. These are difficult questions, On a related front, Ambassador Kiplagat, not best dealt with in tart formulas. Intergovernmental Authority on Develop- Matt Bryden engages the most ardent and ment’s (IGAD) chief negotiator and special emotive question among Somalis: that of envoy to the Somali National Reconciliation Somali unity. Bryden offers readers insight Process, has his work cut out for him. In the into the roots of contemporary political reali- coming months, Ambassador Kiplagat and his ties in both Somaliland and Somalia. It serves Nairobi team will attempt to establish a work- to de-mythologize the sweeping conclusions able Somali Transitional Government. After so much in vogue, which has taken over some 18 months of negotiations in Nairobi, thought and action concerning possible unity the AU has thrown the gauntlet by calling for and dialogue between Somaliland and targeted sanctions on any spoilers to this Somalia. With thoughtful analysis of realities already foundering conference. Needless to and options, Bryden calls for urgent preventa- say the critical test, judging from the previous tive diplomacy while the rare window of 13 conferences, will lie in the quality of com- opportunity is open. He examines possible • ASR V13N2 2004 frans 8/9/04 1:54 PM Page 3 Editorial 3 models of integration and summarises the Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Somaliland, and political dilemmas of Somali leaders, with Sudan. 6 3. Somalia, The Untold Story, The War Through the Eyes concise acuity. of Somali Women. Edited by Judith Gardner & Judy Khalid Ali El Amin analyses the texture of El Bushra. London: Pluto Press. 2004. page 221. Eastern Sudan’s indigenous peace methods, in 4. “Report of the Chairperson of the Commission conflict resolution. This timely contribution on the Situation in Somalia”, African Union, 29 adds to the scant literature on African indige- April 2004, PSC/PR/2/(VI), page 11 point 44. 5. For more about this form of diplomatic purgato- nous peace systems. The humane engagement ry, see Jhazbhay, “Somaliland: Africa’s best kept of the Sudanese Beja peoples provides us with secret, A Challenge to the international commu- another sparkling narrative of hope. This puts nity”, in African Security Review, Volume 12 (4), to bed the assertion that “No end is in sight to 2003, page 77. 7 6. Matt Bryden’s earlier version of this paper was the crisis in the Horn” and, challenges the well received by scholars and diplomats at the sweeping claim that “Until the Kenyan gene- Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) seminar ral elections of 2002, not a single IGAD me- “Somalia Peace Briefing”, in Pretoria on 27 May mber state had undergone a legitimate transfer 2004. A similar briefing by AISA on Sudan was of power”.8 arranged in February 2004. Another key South African round-table on: “The Horn of Africa: The valuable and excellent articles in this Understanding Somalia and Somaliland” was edition of ASR are likely to inspire more hosted by the University of South Africa, Institute debate and more research among scholars and for Global Dialogue in conjunction with the political activists, for whom the Horn of African National Congress (Kwa Zulu-Natal province), on 4 July 2003, on the margins of the Africa holds a dear place in their minds and African Political Studies Association Conference hearts. Sudan is scheduled to host the next and of the International Political Studies African Union Summit in July 2005. That will Association’s conference in the city of Durban. be another appropriate occasion for us to re- See also another South African initiative by the assess developments on the Horn of Hope. Institute for Security Studies: “Strengthening the Role of IGAD in Regional Peace Initiatives and Post Conflict Reconstruction” <http://www.iss.co.za /pubs/CReports/IGADDec03/IGAD.htm> 7.