Page 179 - Le Operazioni Interforze e Multinazionali nella Storia Militare - ACTA Tomo II

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general military mentality fit into these considerations?
Last year´s conflicts are not classical or traditional war scenarios, but mostly are
follow-on developments of inter-state related conflicts in the nearer vicinity or results of
a historical development of the past centuries. Somalia is a typical example for that type
of conflict the world-community is facing during the last years.
Somalia is the prime example of a failed state, located on the Horn of Africa and
void of any form of stability in government. Having become a hub for piracy close to
one of the most important trade routes and sealines of communication of the world,
Somalian piracy has become a major problem for the international community. But the
final decision for western involvement – after a first unsuccessful purely military try in
the beginning ninetees – was that the ongoing instability has caused for decades major
humanitarian problems, which cried for an united engagement. It deemed of utmost im-
portance as a first step to support the Somalian population. Therefore the main task for
Operation ATALANTA was and is not to safeguard the sealines of communication, but
to ensure safe transfer of the ships of the World Food Programme.
However, the reasons for Somalia’s instability are not only within the country, but
are also strongly influenced by the regional conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Both
countries use Somalia as host for a proxy-war, with Ethiopia supporting the central gov-
ernment and Eritrea supporting rebel forces such as the al-Shabaab militia. 5
In order to establish good governance in Somalia in a midterm perspective the Euro-
pean Union has started a couple of programmes like building up a new system of justice,
police and customs. Education programmes at universities will ensure a better educat-
ed population in the future, programmes for better medical support and general health
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care as well as an overall system of security. Building Trust and Confidence inside the
population is aiming for better innestate relations to ensure stability. – Military in this
comprehensive approach is doing that what they can do best. They are training military
personnel with an EU Training Mission and conducting the Operation EU NavFor ATA-
7
LANTA . Some Member States support with military means the EU Capacity Building
Programme to establish a Coast Guard in the region, EU CAP NESTOR, focusing on
advisory and education programmes .
8
Each of these programmes as stand-alone programme would have no effect. Only
the common approach could give a chance for success. In order to achieve all these
goals, the EU has appointed a Special Representative for the Horn of Africa to act as
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coordinator for all EU and Member-States´ efforts within the region. The comprehen-
sive approach could be defined as: “The broader understanding of the Comprehensive

5 Duesterhoft, Isabel/ Gerlach, Antonia: The Successes and Failures of the Interventions of the European Union,
the African Union and Neighbouring Powers in Somalia. In: S+F, 01/2013, 21-22.
6 Directorate General for External Policies of the Union, p. 18-23.
7 Ehrhardt, Hans-Georg/ Petretto, Kerstin: The EU and Somalia: Counter-Piracy and the Question of a
Comprehensive Approach, Hamburg 2012, p. 29.
8 Directorate General for External Policies of the Union, p. 42.
9 Directorate General for External Policies of the Union: The EU Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa:
A Critical Assessment of Impact and Opportunities, 2012, p. 30.