Somalia: What is ENDF mandate and mission inside the Federal Republic?

“BREAKING: Hundreds of Ethiopian troops and vehicles have crossed the border of Somalia into the town of Dolow in Gedo. These troops will open bases in Dolow and Beledhawo to support the Gedo Regional Administration” (The Daily Jubba, 06.08.2022).

Yesterday it was reported that the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) entered and deployed itself in the Gedo region of the Jubaland State. There been no announcement or memorandums officially published from either party. There has been official communication from the Federal Member State (FMS) of Jubaland. Neither has Villa Somalia or any of the Federal Government of Somalia spoken out on it either. Lastly, it has been silent from the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia or the ENDF as well.

This is just troubling as the neighbour here is practically “invading” and occupying parts of border territories of Somalia without any concern. Especially, when we cannot know the mandate, mission or the goals of the operation. This is interfering and not respecting the territorial integrity. The Ethiopian government would have gone to war if the Sudanese Armed Forces went out of the contested areas around the border and did similar acts in the Tigray region. Therefore, this is questionable at best.

We know the Al-Shabab and the conflict with them has spiralled out lately. There been skirmishes on the border and the ENDF has defended it’s territories in the Ogaden (Somali) Region. That has been established and known about. As yet another conflict the ENDF has to deal with and use it’s capacity to take control over.

Some has stated and wondered why the new Somali President hasn’t visited Addis Ababa and such. He has been elsewhere in the Horn of Africa and visited allies. However, he never went to Ethiopia and visited Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. There been talks and rumours speculating that there been a fallout after Abiy lost his ally Farmaajo. Therefore, the recent act seems possibly like a revenge or a retaliation. Also, as the Al-Shabaab suddenly attacked Ethiopia too. It is all coincidently happening as the new Somali President is being in-charge.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has to both look into the leadership in Jubaland State and the Gedo region. If they allowed this with or without prior consent from the regional leadership. Secondly, the Villa Somalia needs to diplomatically establish why Ethiopian forces did enter and such. This is a clear indication that Mogadishu and Addis Ababa has lot of trouble brewing between them.

Abiy has possibly started another proxy-war and does so possibly by being allowed by regional leadership to enter. That is showing a lack of coordination and clear-cut policies of the Villa Somalia. They are showing weakness instead of strength. The neighbour is taking advantage of fragile and porous borders. In such a manner, that the integrity and the sovereignty doesn’t matter to it.

The next few days will be interesting. Especially to see how the new administration in Mogadishu takes it and acts. Because, this is happening on their turf and on their territory. The ENDF is the outsider and certainly has a questionable task to explain why they are there…

This will be monitored and followed. Since the signs are worrying and the air-silence isn’t making things any better. Peace.

Ethiopia: Federal Supreme Court – Charges Withdrawn by the Public Prosecutor on January 6th, 2022 (10.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) – Statement from OFC leaders upon their release from wrongful imprisonment (11.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Community of Minnesota – Oromo Community of Minnesota Statement on the Release of Oromo Political Prisoners (09.01.2022)

Ethiopia: International Oromo Laywers Association (IOLA) – International Oromo Lawyers Association’s Statement on the Release of Political Prisoners (09.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Press Statement on Airstrikes on Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) Camp (09.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Congress for Somali Caucus – Press Statement on Worsening Drought in Somali Region (09.01.2022)

Djibouti: The Police coordinated their attacks against the Afar civilians

“More videos about Djibouti events have been found where we can see :

-Police men taking part in the violences against Afar civilians alongside Issa youth

– Afar victims with gunshot wounds, Police shooting at them

-Police chasing afar civilians in Arhiba with their cars” (Qafar Media, 04.08.2021).

This here is clear indication that the authorities and the police planned the attacks on Afar civilians in Djibouti in the recent days. The numbers of dead is uncertain, as the official dead is 10, but there been use of guns, reckless driving and other measures. Clearly, there could be people who is not accounted for in Djibouti City and in the other towns.

The leaders has already armed the Issa militias and used the police to go after Afar civilians. That shows what they wanted and there was videos of inciting to violence ahead of 1^st August 2021. Therefore, this was coordinated. Just like the export and violence within Afar Region in Ethiopia and the villages targeted within the Somali Region (Ogaden). The Djibouti authorities knew what they were doing and using the power vacuum in their favour.

That’s why it’s happening now and the world should be watching. Because, this is the Issa Somali targeting Afar people. That’s happening both in Djibouti, Ogaden and in the Afar Region. Meaning, they are doing it across borders and in a huge spectrum.

When the police can use this force against innocent civilians, as the state and militias deported, destroyed buildings, closed shops and even killed them for who they are. That should be not only condemned but reported. As this might be a spiralling beginning, as the authorities are allowed to do this and they are the law enforcement. Meaning the Afar people has nothing to say. They will be criminalized, if they do or if they don’t. Peace.

Djibouti: Afar civilians targeted on the second day

“Where are the Afar people?

Here we are!!! Will we forget Warableh? No we won’t!

Will we forget Arhiba? No we won’t! We have no leader in Djibouti.! We only have Allah!” – Protesters in Tadjourah City on the 2^nd August 2021

Yesterday, there was reports that Afar civilians was targeted and their communities was under fire in the capital of Djibouti City. Where the Issa Somali Militia and the Police was involved in the burning of houses, closing shops, hurting civilians and even killing people.

Today, on the second day in the Republic this has sparked outside of Djibouti City. The Police and Issa Somali Militia have gone after peaceful protesters of Afar ethnicity in for instance Randa, Tadjourah and Obock. There been reported that the army have intervened to stop this with violent force.

The government has officially blocked social media and disrupts the internet connection as well through the DjibTel firewalls are blocking VPN. Facebook is totally blocked and Twitter is working without videos.

Because of the authorities blockade and only a few is able to access the internet with VPN. They are the ones showing what his happening and the situation is dire. As Afar civilians are meeting bullets and open discrimination. There been reports of possible deportation of Afar civilians from Djibouti City to elsewhere with buses after yesterday. However, that hasn’t been verified.

Though we do know… that the state is attacking these citizens of Afar communities not only in Djibouti City and in other towns too. We also know that the Issa Somali Militia have attacked the Afar region and in Somali Region (Ogaden) in Ethiopia.

This is all worrying and shows what the state is willing to do. While civilians are losing their lives, getting bruised for life and losing their livelihoods just because of their ethnic background. That shouldn’t be the case anywhere. Therefore, the leadership and authorities of Djibouti has blood on its hands and this is the injustice its serve certain parts of the population. Peace.

Djibouti: Front pour la Restauration de l’Unite et la Democratie (FRUD) – Communique – Epopee criminelle de l’Etat de Djibouti (01.08.2021)