Madam, - Vincent Browne is right to highlight the extraordinary brutality being unleashed on the people of Somalia by Ethiopian troops (Opinion, May 28th). However, what isn't mentioned in the piece is that Ethiopia is a major bilateral partner of the Irish Government through the Irish Aid programme.
When Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia in late 2006 to oust the country's Islamic government, Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi claimed the operation was a momentary incursion that would be over in a matter of weeks. But the troops remain to this day and show no signs of retreating.
Somalia is now regarded at the world's worst humanitarian tragedy, where fighting has displaced one out of every 10 people and left millions facing starvation. The streets of Mogadishu have been deserted due to the daily battles waged between the Ethiopian troops and the Islamic group they deposed. And the situation shows no signs of improvement.
Just this week, Meles said his troops would stay in Somalia until all the "jihadists" were defeated.
Also deserving of attention is the current situation in central Sudan. As your Editorial of May 28th stated, the chances of a return to civil war look greatly increased given the attacks on the strategic town of Abyei.
The 20-year war between north and south was one of the most vicious conflicts the world has seen since the end of the second World War, leaving 2 million dead and 4 million homeless.
Goal had been providing healthcare for over 50,000 people in Abyei, but due to the recent violence we have been forced to withdraw to ensure the safety of our workers. Obviously, this was a very difficult decision to make but the recent violence left us with no option.
The international community must convince the two sides in this conflict to put down their guns and return to the negotiation table. Another civil war could prove catastrophic for the vulnerable population. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA, Goal, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.