The Thorn in The Horn
Just when you thought it couldn't get any uglier, just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any more gruesome, or the hubris couldn't get any bolder, it does. It appears that Mr. Meles' tyranny knows no boundaries...literally. The thorn in the horn, Meles Zenawi, has gone and invaded a sovereign nation. And for what? Well, the consensus seems to be that it is nothing more than a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the growing turmoil he faces inside the country. It is the classic example of a desperate dictator trying to rally support from the people using a scare tactic. The Jihadists are coming! You'd have thought Bin Laden was approaching the border.
History repeats itself once again. Joseph Goebbles, Hitler's propagandist during the Second World War said,
However, this scare tactic seems to have fallen on deaf ears, thanks to the ever alert and politically astute people of Ethiopia. No one is being sold on this one. Much like the many other failed political moves by the tyrant, this one is also being analyzed accordingly. So much for the intelligence of the ‘new breed' of African leader."The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders . . . All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism."
Unfortunately, the blowback to this irresponsible and senseless war will be felt for years to come. And who will be the on the receiving end of this reckless act that was done in the name of self defense? Once again, it is the innocent people of Ethiopia, whose only desire is to live in a peaceful democratic country, which respects the rights and sovereignty of its neighbors.
Yes, it appears that the Ethiopian Army has managed to drive the ragtag army of the UIC out of the capital. But it didn't take a military genius to predict that. It's like being shocked at the swift success of the US military in Iraq. Well, Mr. Zenawi, you may have won the battle, but the real war starts now. Just how long are you planning to stay in Mogadishu or Somalia for that matter? How long do you think before the weak Somali government led by Mohammed Ali Gedi can defend itself? How many of the young Ethiopian soldiers must be sacrificed for your sick adventure? Hmmm, all of this sounds so eerily familiar, doesn't it? Let's see, isn't a similar tragic situation playing out just a few thousand miles across the Red Sea. Oh yeah, Iraq! Didn't anyone tell Mr. Zenawi that this ‘exporting Democracy' business started by the UCA (United Corporations of America) has failed miserably and can only lead to political and moral bankruptcy?Mr Zenawi, in his infinite wisdom using his own version of mathematical logic, and a tinge of his infamous arrogance, declared: "We have done more than half of our mission already. As soon as we complete the other half, and it won't take us long, we will be out of there. So, they won't have a target to fight against." It reminded me of a quote by a professional baseball manager who said, "Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical." So, when will Mr. Meles start saying ‘we will stand down when the Somali Army stands up' or ‘we will not withdraw until our mission is accomplished'?
There is no justification whatsoever for this outrageous act. Even if one was to play along with this sick escapade and entertains Meles' twisted notion of national interest, the invasion is as bizarre as the reason itself. Coupled with the weak rational that a few Moslem fundamentalists are a serious threat to the most militarily powerful county in the region, the idea of defending Ethiopia from the other thorn in the horn, the dictator in Eritrea, can hardly absolve Mr. Meles from the fact that he invaded a sovereign nation. If that were the case, the logical place to launch this mad attack would have been in the Badame front where everything started. Furthermore, if that was really the case, why didn't Mr. Zenawi march all the way to Asmara when he had the chance? I mean the goal is pretty much the same, to protect Ethiopia's interest right?
This is nothing more than a distraction, a ploy to destabilize the region by instilling fear on the people. He may think he is killing two birds with one stone, but little does he know that the birds have flown and only the doves are left. Yes Mr. Zenawi, the people want peace. Thanks to you sir, now Ethiopia is one of the more scorned nations in the world next to US and perhaps Israel. A few months ago, I wrote a piece about the similarities between the two tyrants, Bush and Zenawi. You can add this latest act of unprovoked war by Mr. Zenawi to the list.Chereka
An attack on the pretense “…Somalia is harboring terrorists who are a threat to the peace and stability not only to the horn of Africa but the whole entire world…” Isn’t that laughable? Ironic? Coming from the most ruthless terrorist himself??
Meles is looking out only for Meles. He wants to prolong his rule. He wants the United States backing and of course the money. And he got it. The US provided full military training and backing and instigated this war.
A war we can’t afford!
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Chereka….good article and great points…keep it coming.
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I believe that no matter who is in charge in Ethiopia, whether legitimate or not, accepted or otherwise, would have dealt with the Somalia issue the same way Melse in the interest of Ethiopia. The bottom line is UIC is a treat to Ethiopia and they need to be dealt with before they are strengthened. Whether Melse got his position improved and allied with Americans to fund him is totally a separate issue. My interest is Ethiopia and the region of Ogden. I applaud Melse for taking the action. The way I see it there is no other way, it is better to have the war on Somalia territory than in Ethiopia Ogden. I have witnessed the devastation from the last war, the late 1970’s.
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To begin with Ethiopia is viewed as an “invader”, an old enemy by Somalis, a majority of who support and credit the UIC for restoring peace and stability to their country after 15 years of chaos and anarchy. This invasion has propped up the legitimacy of the UIC in already sympathetic population and the “terrorists”/ “Jihadist” label given to them by the US most likely will win them more support and acceptance too. And Ethiopia, which is seen as a proxy of the US, their mere presence gives common cause to an Islamist insurgency. Of course, the UIC might have melted away for now, but they are too smart and tactful …they aim is to disperse and blend in with the population and conduct insurgency. There have already been reports that 6 Ethiopian soldiers killed and 20 injured this week and the war just started just 2 weeks ago!
A bomb here, an ambush there …..You really don’t think Somalia will be like Iraq in terms of insurgency? You think Somalis, as much hatred as they harbor for Ethiopia and the US will not retaliate?
Somalia also has another common denominator with Iraq. There was a swift military victory but no plan for peace. Ethiopia may have effectively fought and won the power and control for the transitional government, but what happens when they withdraw? Do you think a government that is backed by an enemy has the people’s support?? You think Somalis will support a government that they believe is installed by their archenemy Ethiopia??
And what proof does Meles show to prove that the UIC was a genuine threat to the peace & stability of Ethiopia besides crying wolf?
Hysteria, hype and propaganda hardly count as an intelligence report! Meles’ “..UIC poses a threat to Ethiopia’s peace & stability” reminds me of Bush’s “…Saddam has WMD…”
and The UIC, which couldn’t even defend themselves against an attack on their own soil, do you really believe they are capable of invading Ethiopia and taking over Ogaden?
Galema- You also said that you believed that whoever was in charge of Ethiopia would have dealt with the Somalia the same way. You know what? The jailed opposition leaders, the elected leaders have condemned the war with Somalia…so I doubt if they have resorted to invading a sovereign nation. This is a self-serving war.! Meles thought he could unite the Ethiopian people in supporting his leadership. He is after scoring cheap political shots, he is after distracting attention away from the real issues he faces at home. This war with Somalia is unprovoked act of aggression. I consider it terrorism not self defense!
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You are right Galema….why keep the possibility of a war on the border territory when he can import one right in the middle of the capital city….maybe he was guaranteed the bombs will only attack non EPRDFs….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6234167.stm (Comment this)
Your article makes much more sense than the rest of the media outlets. I was even disappointed by my favourite radio station "NPR". We've been loaded with all kinds unsbstantiated stories. Lately, he's been acting as this administration puppy. Unfourtunately, the poor people will pay the consequences.Let's cross our finger that this war doesn't result more problem internally.
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yes, unprovoked... but political pressure internally and externally provoked the war.. or the need for a war...
misdirection... (Comment this)
I know it's been a few days since your comment, but as you can see the situation is taking an even uglier turn by the day. Now the US is directly involved and this will almost surely will anger more and more people in the Moslem world.
But to respond to your earlier posts, first let me just say the article was more about the current situation the
country is in than Meles himself. Personally, I have nothing against him, though I despise his arrogance and his uncompromising style of governance.
Second, what makes you so sure there will not be some sort of terrorist attack on the innocent people in Ethiopia? You've heard of Al Qaeda's declaration of Jihad on Ethiopia recently haven't you? And like Mimi said, can you explain the 'genuine threat' Ethiopia faces from the UIC?
To address your point about the territorial claim, so the condition of the invasion is the fact that the new
gov't will not have territorial claim on Ethiopia? If so, does that mean the Ethiopian military will be on a stand by every time there is a change of government in Somalia? How is that going to work long term? You realize how absurd taht sounds?
Again, I go back the article, why not Eritrea which is much more organized and has the capability of inflicting more damage on Ethiopia than the ragtag army of the UIC? It seems to me that Eritrea is more of a threat than the UIC.
Let's face it, this is a case of diversion and dividing the people along religious lines. (Comment this)
Have you seen the news piece on the New York Times about using "surrogate forces", essentialy states that make their armies available almost as mercenaries, for questionable wars such as the one we are in now? A few weeks ago, you would be dissmissed as a conspiracy theorist for saying this.
I loved your response to Herzog BTW... (Comment this)
I am not sure if it was on the NY Times, but a friend at work sent mt something similar a couple of weeks ago. Basically, the US military opening recruiting stations oversees for the generous prize of expedited 'US citizenship'. Yep, as they do now with many non citizen foreigners who are fighting in Iraq, when they are dead and burried, they will be given citizenship. I guess that is the new trend, mercinary armies to do the dirty work. I guess Mr Meles is trying to keep up with the times.
I just watched on Youtube a US Congressman, a Republican at that, speaking on the floor about how wrong the admnistration is about the whole 'war on terror' crap and had a short reference on the Ethio-Somalia conflict.
Thanks again
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6d8MIENVtKw
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The UIC did, I believe pose a threat that would have had to have been dealt with, but I think that Ethiopia could have acheived its goals without resorting to the invasion. If you remember - there were different factions within the UIC that could have been played against each other. I would have helped to promote a more moderate faction of the UIC into power who might be more amenable to working out some sort of cooperation with the Yusuf government for the betterment of all Somalis (...and Ethiopians...and Americans, etc.) (Comment this)