Last week’s commentary by Prof. Peter Kagwanja* on The EastAfrican caught my eye because it
paints a picture of the role of international actors in the region. Perhaps my
take away from his commentary is that we may be witnessing the entry of Somalia
as the new play ground of global actors.
The
unveiling of Unisom is also taking place against the backdrop of the discovery
of valuable mineral and energy resources. This is raising fears in America and
the European Union over a ‘Chinese takeover’ on the region and thrusting
Somalia into the forefront of the fierce scramble for Africa’s strategic
resources. This, in turn, is fueling renewed militarism, now everywhere
fashioning the geopolitics of the horn. -
Considering the considerable interest Somalia has been
getting be it the Western interests as the professors points out to the
interests of China as feared out by the west plus the invasion of the Turks to
the party as it were things are bound to get interesting. Given also Kenya has
a military presence in Somalia and would want to reap the peace dividends it
remains to be seen if the entry of Somalia will be through Kenya. The unfolding
Foreign Policy under Uhuru administration seems t be going that route given the
president has spoken of strengthening intra Africa trade plus the rise of new
wave of pan-Africanism.
* Prof. Peter Kagwanja is the CEO of Africa Policy Institute
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