Gedo tension threatens to undermine Somalia–Ethiopia relations  

BELED-HAWO, Somalia - The relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia could take a new turn after months of stability, the Gedo conflict proving a vital turning point for the two countries, whose inconsistent relationship could have caused panic in the Horn of Africa.

At Beled-Hawo, Ethiopian military officers are working closely with the Jubaland regional forces, in what could further lead to tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Ethiopia wants the federal government of Somalia to withdraw its troops from Gedo.

Multiple sources confirmed that Addis Ababa dispatched an Ethiopian military general to Gedo, who has since issued a stern warning to Abdirashid Janan, the federal government intelligence operative in Gedo, accused of triggering the latest conflict.

The general met Jubaland officials and clan elders at the border, and told them Janan and his troops must leave Beled Hawo, three sources said. When the elders asked the reason, the Ethiopian general reportedly told them his government has been collaborating with the regional forces on security matters.

The situation at Beled-Hawo and Doolow in Gedo has raised concerns amongst security operatives from the Jubaland regional government and the Ethiopian administration, who have accused the federal government of 'going overboard'.

Janan-led troops seized sections of Gedo and have been using a UK base in Gedo to launch operations against regional troops, further annoying Ethiopian authorities. Ethiopia is a major security partner of the Somali government.

There are also unverified reports in the region that Egyptian forces could be deployed in the region, which may have unnerved the Ethiopians. The African Union authorised Egypt to deploy forces in Somalia as part of the AU mission.

For a while, Ethiopian forces have been working with the local mayor of Doolow, who is against the federal government of Somalia. A few weeks ago, the mayor forced a small section of federal government troops to disband when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was in Ethiopia.

According to analysts, if Ethiopian troops and Jubaland regional forces kick out the federal government from Beled Hawo, it could worsen the already fragile relations, which have started to recover from last year’s dispute over the Ethiopia MOU with Somaliland.

But the federal government stated on Wednesday, accusing Jubaland officials led by Deputy President Sayid Aden and Ethiopian leaders of planning to inflame animosity in the region.

The statement, however, avoids mentioning Ethiopian military officers who visited Doolow and other border areas and met with Jubaland officials and local elders. The federal government is working hard to whip Jubaland leadership into supporting contested constitutional amendments.

Jubaland regional leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe and his Puntland counterpart Said Abdullahi Deni have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of reneging on his pledge of respecting the rule of law and the constitution of the land.

GAROWE ONLINE