'We are ready for a war': Somalia threatens conflict with Ethiopia over breakaway region

[Eugene]

Source: The Observer

‘We are ready for a war’: Somalia threatens conflict with Ethiopia over breakaway region

Somaliland hoped to be recognised as a country after port deal with landlocked Ethiopia - but move has sparked fury in Somalia

Fred Harter
Sat 13 Jan 2024 11.00 GMT
Last modified on Sat 13 Jan 2024 19.45 GMT

Somalia is prepared to go to war to stop Ethiopia recognising the breakaway territory of Somaliland and building a port there, a senior adviser to Somalia’s president has said.

A memorandum of understanding signed on 1 January allowing landlocked Ethiopia to develop a naval base on Somaliland’s coast has rattled the Horn of Africa, one of the world’s most volatile regions.

Somalia claims Somaliland as part of its territory and has declared the deal void. Last Sunday its president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, called on Somalis to “prepare for the defence of our homeland”, while rallies have been held in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, against the agreement.

“We are pursuing all diplomatic options and I think Ethiopia will come to its senses, but we are ready for a war if Abiy wants a war,” said the adviser, referring to the Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopia and Somalia fought a conflict in 1977-78 over a disputed region and tensions still run deep. ...

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/13/we-are-ready-for-a-war-somalia-threatens-conflict-with-ethiopia-over-breakaway-region

[CanonRay]

1. Why not?

Everybody is fighting somebody over there.

[Wonder Why]

2. And everywhere else. Russia attacking Ukraine. Venezuela wants Guyana.

Cartels against Mexico. Texas wants the USA.

Nicaragua tops the list, having had militarized disputes with four states. Venezuela and Honduras have each had militarized disputes with three neighboring states. El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, and Colombia have
each had militarized disputes with two neighbors. Since 1990 militarized interstate disputes have been frequent.