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E. African Summit Highlights Political Realignment
January 14, 2002
Summary
Seven East African countries are meeting in Khartoum, Sudan, Jan. 10-11 for the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development summit. A discussion on counterterrorist measures is a key topic on the agenda and will illustrate an emerging realignment in the East African political dynamic. Washington, in an attempt to advance U.S. goals, is seeking closer ties with countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan. In the process, it is reshaping regional geopolitics.
Analysis
Seven East African countries -- Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda -- are meeting Jan. 10 and 11 in Khartoum, Sudan, for the ninth Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) summit. Three issues top the agenda: the peace initiative for Sudan led by Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi, the Somali reconciliation process and the establishment of a regional mechanism for fighting terrorism.
Little progress is likely to occur on the first two issues. But the summit will bring an emerging trend to the fore. In an effort to secure its foreign policy goals in the campaign against terrorism, Washington is prompting a realignment of political allegiances across East Africa. The U.S. government is building closer ties with Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, thereby reducing its reliance on ally Uganda.
Such a realignment will affect the economic, political and security affairs of the region. For example, chances for the resolution of the civil war in Sudan will improve while a more marginalized Uganda might suffer a decline in investment from U.S. and European firms. But by boosting the clout of nations like Ethiopia and Sudan, Washington may see less cooperation from countries such as Uganda, complicating the counterterrorism effort.
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http://allafrica.com/
Dan
E. African Summit Highlights Political Realignment . . .