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Seeking economic prosperity out of conflict
Bereket Gebru
Economists explain that a war economy is a very productive one in which everything is geared towards the war machine. The demanding nature of this war machine demands that the various sectors in an economy become motivated to perform extra-ordinary. Therefore, a war economy is characterized by huge and rapid growth.
Despite the destructive nature of war, the urge to defend a nation and inflict damage on the enemy activates almost each and every sector of the economy. The need for food, transportation, military uniforms, shoes, weapons and ammunition, medical service, roads, etc. stimulates a period of considerable growth of the specific sectors. Although it was finally reduced to a pile of rubble by the U.S. and the U.S.S.R, the rapidly growing German economy during the World War II is a typical example of the efficiency of the war economy.
Developed countries like the U.S., U.K. and France are alleged to incite wars in different parts of the world to motivate their gigantic military industries and other sectors of the economy. With engagement in war, their automotive, airplane, weapons and military gear producing companies sale their products.
On the contrary, small nations that face the unenviable task of distributing their already meager resources to their population find it extremely hard to be engaged in wars. Their resources are stretched more than ever during wars. Therefore, the strain is on their people and resources as they don’t have the huge military industrial complex that the rich countries have. Instead, they buy armaments and other essentials from the developed world. Accordingly, wars are especially very devastating for poor countries.
The Eritrean government, however, does not seem to understand that reality as it keeps creating conflicts again and again. It directly goes to war with Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen – three out of four of its neighbors. It is also hosting and supporting armed groups working to topple the governments in these countries through the use of force. Even countries in the region that are not its neighbors are paying dearly to the instigative role of the Eritrean government to terror in the region. Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania make the list of countries that have been rocked by terror attacks and armed raids launched by groups supported by the Eritrean government.
It also jumped into the spat between Arabian countries last week as it sided with the team of countries led by Saudi Arabia and severed diplomatic relations with Qatar. Recent history tells us that Eritrea has been a notable friend of the Qataris as the Eritrean President’s plane was even supplied by the government in Doha. The Eritrean government, for its part, provided Qatar with a military base in its borders.
The Eritrean government could have stayed out of the conflict between the GCC members and hoped the disagreement would be solved soon. However, it was too hard for the war-mongering government to skip the opportunity of being part of a conflict scenario. That is why it just jumped in.
The main reason behind the Eritrean government’s adoption of these destructive routes is its belief that it can mimic a war economy by constantly immersing itself in conflict situations. It just seeks to motivate its economy to function optimally by engaging the whole country in conflict with numerous neighbors. As stated earlier, though, that situation usually leaves poor states bankrupt. Eritrea’s attempt to destabilize its neighbors, particularly Ethiopia, have also not proved rewarding as they saw the poor country’s resources being spent on terrorist groups instead of its citizens who have numerous problems that could use some funding.
A United Nations report indicated that Eritrea has sent $80,000 per month to some members of al Shabaab through the Eritrean Embassy in Nairobi for almost a decade. A UN Group of Experts monitoring sanctions against Somalia and Eritrea also reported in November, 2015 that 400 Eritrean troops are embedded with UAE forces battling Houthi rebels in Yemen. If confirmed, goes on the report, this would violate UN Security Council sanctions imposed against Eritrea.
Through its support of Al Shabaab, the Eritrean government shares the group’s responsibility in attacks that claimed the lives of innocent people in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The hundreds and thousands of people killed in these countries by Al Shabaab likely considered as collateral damages to Eritrea as its main target is destabilizing Ethiopia through the heinous actions of these violent groups though it has proven to be impossible.
In addition to Al Shabaab, the Eritrean government also hosts and supports armed groups like Arbegnoch Ginbot 7, OLF and ONLF that have vowed to violently overthrow the Ethiopian government. These groups have repeatedly launched attacks in Ethiopia from their bases in Eritrea.
Smaller groups have also been used by Eritrea to destabilize specific regions in Ethiopia. Attempts to destabilize Benshangul Gumuz through insurgents coming in from the Sudan have been traced back to Eritrea. Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) insurgents also sneaked into Ethiopia from Eritrea during the popular demonstrations in Oromia that called for good governance and manipulated the opportunity to promote their agenda of violence. Subsequently, the demonstrations turned into violent protests that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, members of the security forces and government officials. With any sign of discomfort in Ethiopia’s stability, forces based in Eritrea are at the site trying to fan whatever little spark they might manage to create.
Instead of soaking its hands in the blood of its neighbors in Africa and the Middle East is hoping that the appalling acts of terror and war would somehow bring economic prosperity, the government of Eritrea should come up with a policy that promotes peace and cooperation with nearby states.
