Ethiopia

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…

General Birhanu Jula Denies Weapon Shipments to Somalia ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian military brass, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, firmly refuted any allegations that Ethiopia sent firearms into Somalia, illustrating these claims as "untrue" and "utter nonsense." This comes at a time when Somalia is striving for harmonious diplomacy amid regional tensions. Somalia and Ethiopia find themselves at odds over a contentious agreement between Ethiopia and North Western State of Somalia. Should this pact see daylight, it threatens…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Taye Atske, now steering the Ethiopian presidency, envisions a diplomatic path to securing sea access for Ethiopia. The nation intends to adopt a strategy based on reciprocity, marking a notable shift from its previous, widely criticized strategy. Striving for a maritime foothold to establish a port and military base, Ethiopia has turned its gaze to North Western State of Somalia, proposing a 20-kilometer stretch along the Red Sea. In return, Ethiopia would acknowledge North Western State of…

Somalia Urges Ethiopia to Revoke North Western State of Somalia Sea Deal by Month's End MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia has thrown down the gauntlet, giving Ethiopia until the end of the month to backtrack on its sea access arrangement with North Western State of Somalia. This demand was outlined in an interview with The New Humanitarian by Somalia's National Security Adviser, Hussein Sheikh Ali. Ali emphasized that the age-old military alliance between Somalia and Ethiopia, including the presence of Ethiopian soldiers on…

Addis Ababa (AX) - Amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives in southern Lebanon, Ethiopia has embarked on an operation to bring its citizens home from Lebanon safely.Touching down on October 7, 2024, at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, 51 Ethiopians returned after a well-orchestrated effort by several governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, and the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission.Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, who acts as the…

Somalia's security faces peril from illegal arms trafficking, warns the nation's foreign minister. (Mustafa Çağlayan - Anadolu Agency) MOGADISHU, Somalia - On Sunday, Somalia voiced fresh anxiety over alleged illegal weapon deliveries from Ethiopia, casting a shadow over the Horn of Africa. During a press briefing in Mogadishu, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi denounced the alleged arms deliveries as a danger to the country’s safety. He appealed to Ethiopia for adherence to current pacts and commended Türkiye's…