Deployment of Child Soldiers. Human Rights Violations. Growing Terrorist Cells. Failed Elections. Violence against Women.

Alarmingly, the above descriptions do not seem specific to one failed/failing nation in the horn of Africa; but, rather apply to all. The June 17th House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health (SAGH) Hearing on The Horn of Africa: Current Conditions and U.S. Policy spoke informatively and gravely about the aforementioned issues that are plaguing Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. The hearing was extremely informative about the political climate in the Horn of Africa, but it also conveyed a more fundamental message.

In order to fully tackle the instability within these nations and achieve sustainable peace, it is critical to remember that each of these nations, while similar in instability, are vastly different in their history and the ethnic conflicts they’ve faced.

This became most clear when one of the speakers on the panel, Pagan Amum, discussed steps towards sustainable peace in Sudan. He proposed the following.

1. U.S. should assist in a North-South post referendum agreement.
2. U.S. government should support a popular vote in Blue Nile and South Kordofan.
3. Foster democratic reforms in the North.
4. International assistance in ensuring two stable states with good relations. Pagan Amum’s suggestions are specific to the Sudan and speak to his fundamental understanding of Sudanese political infrastructure.

Mr. Amum’s suggestions speak to the larger purpose of the hearing. The crisis in Sudan is grave and demands international attention, but it must be approached differently than the issues plaguing the other nations in the region. Certainly, the Horn of Africa presents enormous challenges and tackling them often seems daunting. Based on the SAGH hearing, it is clear that each of these nations demands international attention and assistance, but that there is no universal strategy to effect peace. To impress real change on the future of these nations, it is critical to recognize the ethnic, cultural, and historical differences and to create peace processes that respect these nuances. This hearing served as a reminder that real change comes from a committed and real understanding of each country in the horn of Africa.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.

Tags: Darfur, Government of Sudan, Peace, Peace Process, US Congress

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