Monday January 13, 2025
Amid the ruins of post-WWII Europe, survivors navigate the rubble-strewn streets
The Preliminary Agreement between our country and Ethiopia led me to remember the agreements of Europe after World War 2 ‘s unprecedented destruction. An Estimated 40 million people died, including 20 million military deaths and 19-25 million civilian deaths. Economic devastation leads to widespread poverty, famine, and economic collapse in many European countries.
After the war, rebuilding economies was a monumental task. The Marshal Plan of 1948- 1952, which the United States provided to rebuild Europe, was a significant economic assistance to war-torn Europe; it helped rebuild infrastructure, industry, and agriculture. Soon, trade and cooperation within the European countries took shape and were established; trade agreements, economic cooperation and integration, led to a wider plan of investing in human capital, in which Governments invested in education, training, and healthcare to develop a skilled and healthy workforce, established a monetary and fiscal policy, were central banks both individual countries and regional governments implemented policies to control inflation, stabilize currencies and that promoted economic growth.
Germany, where the major distraction of the 2nd World War evolved, Implemented the Social Market Economy model, combining free-market principles with social welfare policies, extremely well-thought education, and professional and skills curriculum development.
The rest is the world of Western Europe we see today distinguishably led by The Federal Government of Germany.
We can learn from that history and adapt to our region.
Therefore, let me map a Regional Cooperation Somalia is able to envision for a historical turnaround and out of conflict and crises in the Region
The Horn of Africa region, comprising Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya, has immense potential for growth, development, and peace. These countries can harness their collective strengths and address common challenges by coming together and building strong regional development cooperation. The benefits of Regional Cooperation include
Regional cooperation can foster economic growth by promoting trade, investment, and economic integration. Peace and Stability: By working together, countries can address common security challenges, encourage conflict resolution, and enhance regional stability.
Infrastructure Development: Regional cooperation can facilitate the development of critical infrastructure, such as transportation networks, energy systems, and telecommunications.
Through Human Development practices, countries can share knowledge, expertise, and resources to improve human development outcomes, including education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Regional cooperation will help countries address common environmental challenges, such as climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity. Key Areas for Cooperation.
Trade and Investment: Countries can work together to promote trade, investment, and economic integration, including the development of regional trade agreements and investment frameworks.
Security and Conflict Resolution: Countries can work together to address common security challenges, promote conflict resolution, and enhance regional stability.
Human Development: Countries can share knowledge, expertise, and resources to improve human development outcomes, including education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Environmental Sustainability: Regional cooperation can help countries address common environmental challenges, such as climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity. Implementation Roadmap.
Establish a Regional Cooperation Framework: Countries can establish a regional cooperation framework, including a secretariat, to facilitate coordination and cooperation.
Develop Regional Policies and Strategies: Countries can develop regional policies and strategies, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, security, and human development.
Implement Regional Projects and Programs: Countries can implement regional projects and programs, including infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and human development initiatives.
Monitor and Evaluate Progress: Countries can establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, identify challenges, and adjust regional cooperation efforts.
By working together and building a strong regional development cooperation, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya can promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Horn of Africa region.
Building Regional Cooperation Institutions with an academic institution in the region to facilitate knowledge in the regional cooperation strategies. Also, the following institutions can be established: the Horn of Africa Regional Cooperation Council, a high-level council comprising heads of state or government from each country to provide strategic guidance and oversight.
Horn of Africa Regional Secretariat: A technical secretariat that coordinates regional cooperation efforts, provides technical support, and facilitates communication among member states. Horn of Africa Regional Bank, a sub-branch of the African Development Bank, would provide financial support for regional projects and programs, promote economic integration, and facilitate trade. The same strategy Europe used after the Second World War. The same idea should be noted: the Horn of Africa should come out of the endless Wars and work for the multiplicity of peace, which requires a collective effort and a commitment to fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding. The region can develop programs and promote trade, reduce tariffs, and simplify customs procedures; here, we can learn How the EU has come together through free trade. This will include developing education, healthcare, and poverty reduction. A very important aspect of developing a peace dividend is redirecting defence expenditure to human capital development, provided regional security cooperation will be established to address common security challenges and enhance regional stability.
Challenges and Opportunities
While regional cooperation presents numerous opportunities, there are also challenges to be addressed, including:
1. Political Will: The need for strong political will and commitment from member states to drive regional cooperation efforts.
2. Institutional Capacity: The need for strong institutional capacity, including technical expertise and resources, to support regional cooperation efforts.
3. Financing: The need for sustainable financing mechanisms to support regional cooperation programs and projects.
4. Conflict and Security: The need to address common security challenges and promote regional stability to create a conducive environment for regional cooperation.
By addressing these challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by regional cooperation, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya can strategize the long-term needs of their people to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Horn of Africa region.
Dahir S. Hassan is the Deputy Head of Mission and First Counselor at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Germany.