Ethiopia’s Overreach into Somalia

Ethiopia’s Overreach into Somalia: A Breach of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity

Recent developments in the Horn of Africa have sparked significant concerns regarding Ethiopia’s actions and intentions toward Somalia. Ethiopia’s involvement, especially through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somalia’s northwest region, is perceived as a direct violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This move is not only provocative but also highlights Ethiopia’s growing ambitions in the region, which have been met with resistance from the Somali government.
Response to Ethiopia’s Statement
Ethiopia’s criticism of the international community, especially the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), for allegedly ignoring its repeated appeals and those of other Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) is not only misleading but also a bold attempt to shift blame away from its own destabilizing activities in Somalia. Ethiopia’s claim of unfair treatment by the international community needs to be examined in the context of its recent actions, which have directly contributed to the instability it now condemns.
Ethiopian troops should not be allowed to be part of New AU led mission (AUSSOM) for the following reasons:

1. Ethiopia’s Role as an Instigator: Ethiopia has played a key role in the current tensions in Somalia by bypassing the central government and engaging directly with the northwest region, thereby undermining Somali sovereignty. Ethiopia’s actions have not only breached international standards but have also exacerbated the fragile situation in the region, which it now professes to be concerned. The reluctance of the international community to back Ethiopia’s position stems from the clear recognition that Ethiopia is not an impartial player in this crisis; rather, it is a primary instigator.
2. Misleading Criticism of the International Community: Ethiopia’s complaints about the AU and UN supposedly overlooking its concerns are misleading. In fact, Ethiopia has faced widespread criticism for actions that violate Somalia’s sovereignty and breach international law. The AU and UN are cautiously responding to Ethiopia, recognizing that its actions are likely driven by strategic self-interest rather than a genuine concern for regional stability. Although Ethiopia presents itself as a victim, it is in fact the aggressor, contributing to the destabilization of Somalia.
3. Ethiopia’s Double Standards: Ethiopia’s statement suggests that it is being unjustly asked to overlook antagonistic remarks and destabilizing actions from others. However, it is Ethiopia itself that has acted as the aggressor, taking actions that have directly destabilized Somalia. Ethiopia cannot claim to be a stabilizing force while simultaneously undermining Somalia’s central government and promoting regional fragmentation. This hypocrisy exposes Ethiopia’s double standards and raises doubts about its true commitment to peace and stability in the region.
4. Ethiopia’s Attempts to Shift Blame: Ethiopia is strategically maneuvering to use the international community as a scapegoat for Somalia’s ongoing issues, effectively deflecting scrutiny from its own controversial actions. By choosing to engage directly with regional authorities in Somalia, rather than working through the Somali government, Ethiopia has undermined Somalia’s sovereignty and contributed to the destabilization of the country. This direct intervention has not only exacerbated internal conflicts but has also intensified regional tensions. Ethiopia’s public criticism of the international community serves as a calculated distraction, redirecting focus away from its own significant role in perpetuating instability in Somalia. This approach allows Ethiopia to avoid accountability for its actions while simultaneously manipulating the narrative to its advantage.
5. The Real Motive Behind Ethiopia’s Statements: Ethiopia’s frequent appeals to the international community are not sincere requests for peace but strategic moves to gain support for its interests in Somalia. The country’s focus appears to be on securing its own objectives, like maritime access and influence in Somali territories, rather than promoting true stability. By criticizing the AU and UN, Ethiopia aims to damage the credibility of these organizations, hoping to weaken their authority and allow its own actions to proceed without opposition.
6. Ethiopia’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Although Ethiopia’s statement emphasizes the importance of stability, its actions contradict this claim. By signing an MOU with Somalia’s northwest region without the Somali government’s approval, Ethiopia is directly undermining Somali sovereignty. This action not only destabilizes Somalia but also risks creating a troubling precedent for neighboring countries. If Ethiopia genuinely cared about stability, it would honor Somalia’s sovereignty and engage through proper diplomatic means instead of adopting actions that promote division and instability.
7. Undermining the Authority of the African Union and the United Nations: Ethiopia’s criticism of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) is not merely an exercise in deflecting blame; it is a calculated strategy to undermine the authority and legitimacy of these pivotal international institutions. By actively challenging their actions and decisions, Ethiopia is directly confronting the organizations tasked with maintaining peace and stability in the region. This approach represents a significant risk, as it threatens to weaken the international community’s ability to effectively respond to and manage crises in the Horn of Africa. The international community must recognize that Ethiopia’s critiques are part of a broader effort to erode opposition to its disruptive and aggressive policies. In light of this, it is crucial to consider the implications of allowing Ethiopian troops to participate in the New AU-led mission (AUSSOM). Their involvement could further compromise the mission’s effectiveness and potentially exacerbate the very conflicts it aims to address, thereby undermining the stability and peace efforts in the region.
8. The Importance of Holding Ethiopia Accountable: The international community, particularly through institutions such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), must play a crucial role in ensuring that Ethiopia is held accountable for its actions and interventions in Somalia. Ethiopia’s attempts to deflect responsibility and criticize the international community’s responses should not obscure its central role in contributing to the current instability in Somalia. Despite Ethiopia’s efforts to shift the narrative, the focus should remain on its substantial involvement in exacerbating the situation. The AU and UN have a fundamental responsibility to uphold and reinforce the principles of Somali sovereignty and territorial integrity. They must steadfastly resist any attempts by Ethiopia to undermine these principles in pursuit of its own strategic or political interests. By maintaining a firm stance, the AU and UN can help ensure that Somalia’s path to stability and self-determination is not derailed by external pressures or manipulations.
9. Reaffirming the International Community’s Commitment to Somali Sovereignty: The international community must reassert its dedication to Somali sovereignty in response to Ethiopia’s destabilizing measures. Ethiopia’s attempts to sideline the Somali government and interact directly with regional authorities should be denounced, with the international community making it clear that these actions are unacceptable. The AU and UN should persist in their support of Somalia’s central government and work towards bolstering its authority, ensuring that Somalia’s sovereignty is upheld by all regional players.
10. Ethiopia’s Responsibility for the Precarious Situation in the Region: Ethiopia’s claim that the region’s precarious state is due to the international community’s lack of action is a clear misrepresentation of the facts. The instability in the region is primarily a consequence of Ethiopia’s own actions, which have undermined Somali sovereignty and exacerbated regional turmoil. Ethiopia should be held responsible for its contribution to this situation, and its efforts to shift the blame should be dismissed.
11. The Need for a Strong International Response: The international community needs to take a firm stance against Ethiopia’s actions and rhetoric. Ethiopia’s attacks on the AU and UN are attempts to discredit these organizations and diminish their commitment to opposing Ethiopia’s aggressive policies. It is crucial for the international community to persist in backing Somalia’s sovereignty and to counter Ethiopia’s destabilizing actions. This demands a united and coordinated approach to demonstrate that Ethiopia’s behavior will not be accepted.
12. Arms Smuggling and Destabilization: Reliable reports indicate that arms smuggling across the Ethiopia-Somalia border is worsening the situation. Weapons smuggled into Somalia through these illegal routes frequently fall into the hands of Al-Shabaab, the militant group that has long threatened Somalia’s peace and stability. This unlawful flow of arms directly hampers the Somali government’s counterterrorism efforts, which have been making progress against Al-Shabaab. Ethiopia’s inability to control arms smuggling threatens regional stability and counterterrorism efforts, endangering Somali citizens and bolstering Al-Shabaab.
13. The Threat to Counterterrorism Efforts: The continuous arms smuggling across the Ethiopia-Somalia border, with the risk of weapons reaching Al-Shabaab, poses a serious challenge to counterterrorism efforts in Somalia. Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group known for numerous attacks and considerable instability, has been considerably weakened by the Somali government’s stringent counterterrorism measures. The influx of arms from Ethiopia risks undoing progress by strengthening Al-Shabaab and weakening the Somali government’s stabilization efforts, thereby threatening both the Somali people and international counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
14. Crimes committed by Ethiopian intervention forces: Between 2006 and 2008, Ethiopian intervention forces, alongside African Union (AU) troops and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces under Abdullahi Yusuf, committed widespread crimes against civilians in south-central Somalia. Reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International documented numerous atrocities, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and sexual violence. Civilians faced indiscriminate bombings and widespread displacement due to the intense military operations targeting Islamist insurgents and their supporters. Despite the gravity of these violations, there has been a notable lack of accountability for the perpetrators, contributing to a prolonged cycle of impunity and suffering in the region.

Conclusion
Ethiopia’s attempts to criticize the international community for allegedly ignoring its calls are nothing more than a cynical ploy to deflect attention from its own destabilizing actions. Ethiopia’s role in infringing upon Somalia’s sovereignty is clear, and its actions have directly contributed to the precarious situation in the region. The international community must see through Ethiopia’s rhetoric and hold it accountable for its actions, ensuring that Somali sovereignty is respected and that peace and stability are maintained in the Horn of Africa. Accorsing to many Somalis, Ethiopia does not have good intentions towards Somalia and they have over the years done everything possible to ensure Somalia never stabilizes. In addition, Ethiopia’s internal challenges, such as ethnic conflicts and political instability, demand focused attention and resources, making it impractical to commit to an external peace mission at this time. Ethiopia should also respect that Somalia is a sovereign nation and has the right to choose the countries to be engaged for the peacekeeping mission.