Eritrea’s importance in the Horn of Africa regional politics is dictated more by its strategic location along the Red Sea than its wealth. Despite talks of gold discovery, Eritrea is one the world’s poorest countries with an economy that was further bankrupted by a costly and absurd war with Ethiopia in 1998. Yet, Eritrea remains a regional power to reckon with.
October 25, 2010: Eritrea continues to wage war on several fronts. Its forces face Ethiopia along their disputed border. The proxy war in Somalia continues. Though the border incident with Djibouti is being resolved, trouble with Djibouti Afar nomads remains an issue. Eritrea has, over the last decade, also been involved with guerrilla groups in Yemen and Sudan.
Eritrea
By Tamiru Geda
Ethiopia
By Tamiru Geda
Ethiopia
Ian Brimacombe reports on a woman who fought in the Eritrean struggle for independence from Ethiopia. She was just 13 when she became a soldier. She spent the next 16 years fighting in a brutal guerrilla war.
Meriem Omer began her life as a girl soldier in 1976.
Ian Brimacombe reports on a woman who fought in the Eritrean struggle for independence from Ethiopia. She was just 13 when she became a soldier. She spent the next 16 years fighting in a brutal guerrilla war.
Meriem Omer began her life as a girl soldier in 1976.
Earlier on Monday, the Independent Paper al-Ahali said that the Iranian revolutionary guards train al-Houthi rebels in camps in neighboring Eritrea. The paper also said that the Iranian revolutionary guards transport the weapons through the Eritrean harbor of Asab to Yemen’s harbor of Midi.
Earlier on Monday, the Independent Paper al-Ahali said that the Iranian revolutionary guards train al-Houthi rebels in camps in neighboring Eritrea. The paper also said that the Iranian revolutionary guards transport the weapons through the Eritrean harbor of Asab to Yemen’s harbor of Midi.
It was a question worth killing over, in the minds of some Somali Islamic extremists. In May, Ahmed Omar Hashi, a reporter for Mogadishu’s Radio Shabelle asked Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to explain his country’s support for al-Shabab, the hardline Somali Islamic group. Afwerki explained that Eritrea only wanted to enable “Somali nationalists” in their efforts at “ensuring Somali unity, sovereignty and independence.”…President Afwerki’s reply to Hashi was a softball answer to a softball question. But that didn’t matter to the Mogadishu-based Islamic extremists, who later called Hashi on his cell phone, accusing him of spreading lies about al-Shabab, and threatening to kill him.
It was a question worth killing over, in the minds of some Somali Islamic extremists. In May, Ahmed Omar Hashi, a reporter for Mogadishu’s Radio Shabelle asked Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to explain his country’s support for al-Shabab, the hardline Somali Islamic group. Afwerki explained that Eritrea only wanted to enable “Somali nationalists” in their efforts at “ensuring Somali unity, sovereignty and independence.”…President Afwerki’s reply to Hashi was a softball answer to a softball question. But that didn’t matter to the Mogadishu-based Islamic extremists, who later called Hashi on his cell phone, accusing him of spreading lies about al-Shabab, and threatening to kill him.
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Sitting on a mat at home between taking orders for arms on his two mobile phones, Osman Bare gives thanks for the riches flowing from Somalia's war.
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Sitting on a mat at home between taking orders for arms on his two mobile phones, Osman Bare gives thanks for the riches flowing from Somalia's war.
The Recent Statements by the President of Djibouti regarding the State of Tensions with Neighboring Eritrea is just one more addition of chaos to a Region that is Very Unstable.
The Recent Statements by the President of Djibouti regarding the State of Tensions with Neighboring Eritrea is just one more addition of chaos to a Region that is Very Unstable.
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia has said its neighbour and foe Eritreais “incapable” of launching a war across its border even as regional
diplomats fear the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers has heightened that
possibility.
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia has said its neighbour and foe Eritreais “incapable” of launching a war across its border even as regional
diplomats fear the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers has heightened that
possibility.
Eritrean government spokesman Yemane Gebremeskel said the termination of the UN mission mandate was "long overdue" and would have little impact on the region. BBC
Eritrean government spokesman Yemane Gebremeskel said the termination of the UN mission mandate was "long overdue" and would have little impact on the region. BBC
7 June 2008-Djibouti (APA) –“We will not let ourselves to be drawn into a war logic with Eritrea”, the Djiboutian President, Ismail Omar Guelleh said in a speech Friday marking the 31st anniversary of his country’s independence from France.7 June 2008-Djibouti (APA) –“We will not let ourselves to be drawn into a war logic with Eritrea”, the Djiboutian President, Ismail Omar Guelleh said in a speech Friday marking the 31st anniversary of his country’s independence from France.“Neither regime wants war at present. Both prefer to keep tensions
simmering, giving them an excuse to maintain authoritarian rule,” ICG
senior Africa adviser Andebrhan Giorgis said in a report titled
“Averting New War.”
“Neither regime wants war at present. Both prefer to keep tensions
simmering, giving them an excuse to maintain authoritarian rule,” ICG
senior Africa adviser Andebrhan Giorgis said in a report titled
“Averting New War.”
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says his country is prepared for a possible war with neighboring Eritrea, and warned that an invasion by Eritrea would lead to that country’s destruction.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says his country is prepared for a possible war with neighboring Eritrea, and warned that an invasion by Eritrea would lead to that country’s destruction.
Three days before a deadline for demarcating their disputed border, Ethiopia said on Tuesday it had no plans for another bout of fighting with arch-foe Eritrea but would crush any attempt by Asmara to invade.
Three days before a deadline for demarcating their disputed border, Ethiopia said on Tuesday it had no plans for another bout of fighting with arch-foe Eritrea but would crush any attempt by Asmara to invade.
ASMARA, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Eritrea said on Wednesday arch-foe Ethiopia had “long since declared war” on Asmara by refusing to implement a five-year-old border ruling marking their shared frontier.
ASMARA, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Eritrea said on Wednesday arch-foe Ethiopia had “long since declared war” on Asmara by refusing to implement a five-year-old border ruling marking their shared frontier.
Meles Zenawi, said Ethiopia will not open a war against Eritrea, however he added that he would be forced to defend his country if Eritrea started the war.
Meles Zenawi, said Ethiopia will not open a war against Eritrea, however he added that he would be forced to defend his country if Eritrea started the war.
Nairobi – Horn of Africa enemies Ethiopia and Eritrea may return to war about their disputed border in a matter of weeks if there is no major international push to halt them, an influential think-tank warned on Monday.
Nairobi – Horn of Africa enemies Ethiopia and Eritrea may return to war about their disputed border in a matter of weeks if there is no major international push to halt them, an influential think-tank warned on Monday.
Michela Wrong reports on the tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the war brewing on the new frontier
Michela Wrong reports on the tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the war brewing on the new frontier
A little-known border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia is rapidly escalating again and threatens not only the peace of the neighborhood, but also against the broader struggle against Islamist terrorism.
A little-known border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia is rapidly escalating again and threatens not only the peace of the neighborhood, but also against the broader struggle against Islamist terrorism.
Ethiopia’s president is urging the country’s parliament to approve money for a military buildup in preparation for a possible war with neighboring Eritrea. VOA’s Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the remarks came during a speech to a joint session of parliament.
Ethiopia’s president is urging the country’s parliament to approve money for a military buildup in preparation for a possible war with neighboring Eritrea. VOA’s Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the remarks came during a speech to a joint session of parliament.
The voices that are crying out for peace in the long suffering country of Somalia are in danger of being drowned out by the Sabers that are rattling in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. And sadly the world is not paying attention to either problem.
- 1
- 2