12 of 43

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

even as the government has been found to encourage the local population to not cooperate with American forces. The local government has also seeded the area with informants, a secret police, to keep the populace in line.

Despite the things that America is doing the local population still only sees Somalia as the true benefactor of the people. Clothes, food, drugs, and medical equipment these come easily from Somalia. . Somalia is waging a war for the hearts of the people in Ethiopia. A battle the United States realizes it desperately needs to win.

The people in this region of Ethiopia consider themselves Somalis; the Ethiopian government is abusing and killing them. The United States is helping a bit, but Somalia is coming to the rescue.

Should the United States consider Ethiopia an ally despite its atrocities and actions?
Of course, Ethiopia is still of strategic importance. But America needs to consider well what she supports and what she does about these abuses. This is not the first time America has supported a regime, due to a strategic interest, which was abusive and atrocious.

America supported the Taliban at one time and Saddam as well. When the mission is done and the strategic goals in the region met, the United States may pack up and leave, like she has so many times before. The more responsible course of action would be to stay in the region and support autonomy.

This does not have to be the creation of a "Greater Somalia," but the people deserve self-rule and a government that does not kill them. The Somali people of Ethiopia deserve better, and if the United States really is concerned about their well being the United States will stay the course.

If America abandons these regions to the neglect and government sponsored opposition that already exists it is creating an environment where terrorism thrives and the local population will support it.

Already several deaths and injuries are the result of rebel operations, not just American involvement in Somalia. For a stable region the people of Gode, and of all the villages that hold ties to Somalia, need to be heard.

Learn more about this author, Daniel Xiao Wang.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Should the US consider Ethiopia an ally despite its poor human rights record??
We want to hear your view. Write now!