It has widely been reported in the media how warmly Ethiopian soldiers were welcomed by Somali residents as they took over Baidoa. This is the fourth time Ethiopia is sending its army to its troubled southern neighbor in the last few years. Somalia has been in turmoil and without any central government since Said Barre was overthrown in 1991. Ever since that country has suffered repeated famine, bloodshed and abject poverty. In addition, it is being accused of becoming safe haven for territories and pirates. These internal problems often overspill to neighboring countries affecting the peace, stability and security of the region. As well, dealing with Somalia refugee has long been draining the scarce resource of Ethiopia and Kenya. For example, Kenya hosts Dadaad camp, the largest Somalia refugee camp in the world. Almost half a million Somalis live in this camp, which is located 60 miles from the Somalia border.

Therefore, there is not question that helping build peaceful and stable Somalia as neighbor is in the best interest of Ethiopia, Kenya and the world community at large. But what troubles me the most is the lack of clear objective on part of the Ethiopian government as to why we are fighting in Somalia. We have been in Somalia three times before and left without achieving any tangible peace and security. In stead, in the previous three incursions into Somalia Ethiopians paid by sacrificing their sons and daughter and lost scare resource. For the fourth time we are at it again, Ethiopian troops are in Somalia soil. But what makes this current move different from the previous three or is this again another ineffective, wasteful and shortsighted campaign? In my opinion the current move still lacks clarity and has ill-defined (or undefined) objectives for Ethiopian soldiers to move into Somalia. The Ethiopian public is not properly explained about why its sons and daughters are dying in non-ending and improperly defined war. There are several points that need proper explanation prior to sending our troops into Somalia. Specially the following points needed some clarification, are we in Somalia to

• remove al Shabab from the city of Baidoa and beyond?
• help build wider regional peace and security?
• support the fragile Somalia government building itself?

Moreover, the public need to be told about the time frame and financially costs such wars. How long are we staying in Somalia and how much is going to cost us and who is going to pay? Otherwise, the current and fourth Ethiopian move into Somalia certainly will share same fate as the previous ones; just another waste of life and resources.