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Introduction
The Horn of Africa, a region that includes Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia is known for constant conflicts famine and other human crisis. In 1980’s this region experienced extreme drought and famine that led to death of many people. Surrender or Starve: travel in Ethiopia and Eritrea written by Kaplan gives a detailed account of the famine during the period. As journalist reporter in this region, Kaplan had close experience of situation. The account made in the book draws attentions to this region, which had been neglected, by the world during the conflict. The main theme in the book, famine, is a major threat to human existence and development not only in the region but also in many parts of Africa. Famine can be viewed from more than one perspective; ecological, political, cultural and technological effects have great influences to famine. The accounts in the books explore the influence of religious, ethnic and class conflicts in the region to the famine. The accounts also give details on influence of political instability to famine, and, how the famine influence current crisis in the region.
Technological and Ecological Perspective to the Famine
In history, the Horn of Africa has a record of frequent and persistence droughts. The geographical positions of the region, unstable rainfall and prolonged dry period have been a major factor in famine in the region. The severe famine experienced in 1980’s could be explained, in one perspective, as resulting from frequent drought in the region.
Due to landscape and geographical location, Ethiopia has unstable rains that lead to frequent drought. The temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall has led to three main seasons. The three seasons differs from typical two seasons observed in tropical region. The three main seasons are dry season, long rains season and the short rains season. These seasons provides the basic framework for agricultural structures of the country (Kaplan, 2003, p 131). The long rains season in the main planting season for major crops in the country. The short rains seasons is used for planting main short-term food crops for most communities. The dry season provides the right conditions for harvesting both the short and long-term crops. Due to the nature of seasons, divergence in climate results to major loss of crops with little chance for recovery. For survival of the livestock, it is imperatives that limited rainfall should be received during the dry season.
During the period between 1975 and 1990, Ethiopia and the other regions is the horn of African received unstable rainfall. Rains in the long and short rains seasons were not enough to sustain full of food crops. As most communities were pastoralists, frequent drought led to loss of livestock due to famine. The dry seasons were extended and recorded hardly any rain. As a result, communities lost most of animals and shifted to other region in search of fodder and water for their animal.
Reliance on natural rains and failure to use technology in agriculture contributed to severity of famine in the regions. Failure of either short or long rains meant that the communities lost any hope for harvest. In livestock, the dry seasons were coupled with pest attacks, which led loss of many animals. As one drought was followed by another, families lost seeds and reduced animals for reproduction after the drought. Diseases and deaths followed from the drought with little attention of the government and non-governmental agencies.
Political factors
Political influences the famine in Ethiopia is evident from the book. Both local and international politics had influence to the famine. Ethiopia’s internal political instability led to growth of conflicting groups that wedged war against the government. The relationship between Ethiopia and countries involved in the east-west conflict influenced how famine was handled.
The government of Ethiopia was ineffective; marred with corrupt officials and politicians. The ruling political class struck political alliance with the east. The Soviet Union pumped money to the country in support of the rulers’ political agendas. The USSR also brought in armies and weapons to the horn in orders to safeguard their interest in the region (Kaplan, 2003, p47). The money and weapons led to further splitting of the already conflicting region. The government removed peasant farmers and pastoralists from their farms and took them to regions with limited water and food supplies. This government interference to natural way of live of communities led to destruction of cultures, decimation of villages and effects to family lives. Dues to this influence, effects of drought, diseases and deaths went along without the notices of international communities.
Conflict between the government and guerrilla armies had effect to the famine. The government used the money received from the east to sponsor militia groups that fought against guerrilla armies (Kaplan, 2003, p127). Resources that could have been to support useful economical programmes were used to fight an unending war. Region that supported gorilla fighters fighting against the government did not receive assistance from the government during the drought. Food and other aids intended for the regions were either diverted to politically friendly regions or embezzled by corrupt government officials. The fight between guerrilla armies and the government led drove families from their farms into refugee camps where they were faced with severe drought and deaths.
Cultural and Ethnic Differences
Ethnic and cultural differences are a major factor in conflict in Ethiopia and other regions of the horn of Africa. Before any conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is reviewed, cultural and ethnic elements are observed. The major cause of conflict across boundaries in the Horn of Africa is the ruling classes attempt to create national states identity within international boundaries created by the colonial rulers. The historical scrabble for the region led to strong divisions in the country. The ethnic groups in Ethiopia include the Tigrayan, Oromo, Afars and Somalis. These ethnic and cultural groups led to growth of conflicts between the groups (Kaplan, 2003, p67). Each ethnic group tried to have influence to political activities in the country. Constant conflict between the groups led to in most regions. With constant conflict, agricultural activities were severely affected. The constant conflicts between the grown made effective provision of aid to be impossible. Aid workers feared to go into conflict prone regions leaving starving families with necessary aids.
Conclusion
The famine in Ethiopia and other regions on the Horn of Africa will be remembers for its severity and thousands of lives lost. Although the drought that affecting the region contributed significantly to the famine, political negligence led to the high number of deaths lost. Robert Kaplan’s account of the famine in his book: Surrender or Starve shows political influences of Mengustu rule as the major reason for the famine. The Ethiopian government failed to respond appropriately to the famine leaving helpless families without the necessary help. Relationship between the Ethiopian government and USSR led to influx of weapons and money that were used in conflicts. Information about the famine was revealed to the international community very late after severe effects had been experienced.
Reference List
Kaplan, R. (2003). Surrender or Starve: travels in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Eritrea. New York: Vintage.
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