AU troops (finally) patrolling Mogadishu

The fighting between the Ethiopian regulars and Islamic radicals has cooled enough for the African Union forces to start patrols while tentative negotiations begin. This is a very good first step to building a lasting peace in Somalia and staving off what could be a nasty humanitarian crisis.

But as things go in this neighborhood, I am not getting overly optimistic. Governments in the region have an uncommon talent for blowing opportunities or as a diplomat put it in the article:

"Every time the government has a chance to do something sensible they do the exact opposite. "

Such is life in the Horn of Africa…