Ann M McCain

Ethnic Tension in Ethiopia: Could the Insurrection in the Ogaden Province Provide an Opening for Islamic Extremism? Ann M McCain

Publisher Marketing: Since 11 September 2001, the international security environment has changed dramatically. Until recently America's strategic interest in Africa has been minimal. However, in response to recent world events, the growth of Islamic extremism and increasing Al-Qaeda activity in the Horn of Africa, America has adopted a more active role on the African continent in order to ensure the security of America and her allies. Several factors in the African environment make Africa vulnerable to the presence of Islamist extremists who would seek to use Africa as a launching pad for their illegal activities throughout the world. 'These vulnerabilities include weak governance, collapsed states, alternative power centers, the prevalence of an informal economy, porous borders, widespread access to illegal weapons, proximity to the Arabian Peninsula, and operational access to attack venues.'2 Addressing the underlying factors that contribute to fundamentalism is ultimately how we will defeat al-Qaeda and limit its influence. Few African countries have had such a long, varied, and troubled history as Ethiopia.2 The country has been plagued by drought, famine, authoritarian rulers, internal strife among different ethnic groups, border disputes and civil unrest. The countries political leadership since the beginning of the twentieth century has failed to adequately address many of the issues that contribute to Ethiopia's instability. Despite this, Islamic fundamentalism has not taken hold in the Horn of Africa, not even in predominantly Muslim areas or nations. But, the fact that it has not taken hold does not mean that it is not a threat especially given that many of the factors that contribute to fundamentalism are present in the Ogaden region and in Ethiopia in general. The government of Ethiopia must address the issues that contribute to instability in order to ensure the country does not disintegrate into chaos like its neighbor.