Ethiopia

WASHINGTON – U.S. officials are expressing unease over the simmering fracas over the Ethiopian and Somali Tug of War concerning the Red Sea. The showdown has seized Mogadishu’s attention for nearly nine months, sparked by Addis Ababa’s overt desire to establish a foothold. In a controversial twist, Ethiopia has inked an agreement with North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared autonomous region of Somalia. This pact could potentially grant Ethiopia a 20-kilometer slice of the Red Sea for erecting a military outpost and…

Egypt's Al-Sisi Stands Firm on Nile Water Dispute With Ethiopia CAIRO, Egypt - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has pledged to safeguard the waters of the Nile River amidst escalating tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Renaissance Dam constructed on the Blue Nile. Egypt has long contended that Ethiopia’s damming efforts have curtailed the water flow downstream, severely affecting countless lives across the nation. In response, Egypt proposed a measured approach to filling the dam, an idea swiftly nixed by the…

NAIROBI, Kenya - A recent summit with Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia in attendance has birthed a coalition nicknamed the 'axis against Ethiopia,' marking an intense regional shift that edges Ethiopia into unfamiliar territory. Over the past few years, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has been wrestling with internal and external upheavals. Domestically, his administration faces significant headwinds due to regional unrest, notably the Tigray conflict, which upends his governance. On the international front,…

"Somalia to Ethiopia: 'Bring It On!' as Strains Rise" MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has firmly declared it won't be rattled by Ethiopia's intimidations concerning its contentious deal with North Western State of Somalia. The pact has stirred unrest, yet Somalia maintains its readiness for any move Addis Ababa might make, especially attempts that compromise its military or civilian tranquility. Ethiopia has persistently sidestepped apologies for its actions, which have tested Somalia’s sovereignty. The contentious…

Will Egypt Steer Somalia's Peacekeeping Journey? NAIROBI, Kenya - As the calendar inches towards the expiry of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in December, it's becoming increasingly apparent that Egypt is mounting its troops for AUSSOM, the new mission slated for the region. This signals the dawn of a strategic plan to bolster peace and stability in Somalia, a land of enduring strife. In a communique rolling out from the recent Tripartite summit, Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea collectively nodded to…

A recent diplomatic spat has nudged Somalia towards cosier relations with Egypt and Eritrea, each entangled in longstanding grumbles with Ethiopia. Folks are jittery that rising tensions could tip the scale into outright conflict. “This is a coalition against Addis Ababa," dished out Hassan Khannenje, who steers the Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies, during a chinwag on the BBC's Focus on Africa. "Seems like they're bundling grievances to crank up the heat on Addis Ababa." A snapshot beamed by Eritrea…

ASMARA, Eritrea - Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea have joined forces, stirring up the already bubbling pot of regional tensions, especially with Ethiopia. The diplomatic shake-up unfolded at a summit in Asmara, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki gathered to map out strategic cooperation. This alliance emerges against the backdrop of Ethiopia making waves with its contentious deal with North Western State of Somalia, aiming for a slice…

In a grand setting, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stepped up to address the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on a bustling Tuesday, September 24, 2024. (AP Photo by Richard Drew) - AP Photo/Richard DrewWith considerable spotlight, President Erdogan participated in the send-off ceremony for Turkey’s energy research vessel, Oruc Reis. This month, the ship departed towards the Somali waters, bolstered by two Turkish naval ships.Somali Energy AccordThe Oruc Reis deployment emerges from an energy…

ADDIS ABABA - The head honcho of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal General Birhanu Jula, contends that standing toe-to-toe with Ethiopia is beyond Somalia's reach. In his perspective, Somalia lacks the prowess and manpower to challenge Ethiopia effectively. During a much-broadcast interview, General Jula minced no words criticizing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, articulating doubts about his capability to protect Mogadishu from the al-Shabaab insurgents. "He should worry about guarding the sea…

On a recent day, the quietude of the Ethiopian Rift Valley was shattered by a 4.9-magnitude earthquake. This seismic event originated west of Lake Awash, particularly near the Mount Fentale district, rattling the town of Metehara and prompting some locals to scramble for safety. In the aftermath of the quake, reports indicated that numerous buildings suffered structural damage, while cracks emerged in the ground nearby. Fortunately, as of now, no injuries or significant destruction have been documented, which is a relief…