You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Africa Horn
Somalia: Addis regime calling the shots in Baidao
2006-12-23
(SomaliNet) Somalia interim government insider told SomaliNet that the federal government has signed a conditional protection contract with Ethiopia after the Islamic Courts consolidated power in most southern and central Somalia. Under this protection agreement,
Ethiopia will be involved in all aspects of Somalia governmentÂ’s day to day business as long as its services are needed. Semi-autonomous Puntland is part of the protection agreement and is partially financing the war.
Ethiopia will be involved in all aspects of Somalia governmentÂ’s day to day business as long as its services are needed. Semi-autonomous Puntland is part of the protection agreement and is partially financing the war.

A delegation led by Puntland president visited Baidao earlier this week and met with government officials for talks on many issues including the current situation of the country.

Now, the war with the courts has started and Ethiopian soldiers are dying on the frontline, the stakes are much higher than when the initial deal was reached. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia is now running the weak Somalia government thatÂ’s confined in Baidao.

This close ties with Ethiopia gives the Islamic Courts a way to recruit young men since Somalia and Ethiopia have unresolved border issues and fought many wars in the past. The Islamist motto is Ethiopia wants to dominate Somalia so that we never question the vast land and people it annexed after Second World War. However many blame the Islamists for EthiopiaÂ’s indirect Somalia invasion.
Posted by:Fred

00:00