From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sun May 23 2010 - 07:31:01 EDT
Horn of Africa: Ethiopia and Somaliland row erupts
Saturday 22 May 2010 / by Konye Obaji Ori
http://en.afrik.com/local/cache-vignettes/L190xH169/arton17680-785a3.jpg
Ethiopia's inherent boarder skirmish with Somalia has extended to the more
stable autonomous Somaliland, where13 people; three Ethiopian soldiers and
at least 10 civilians have been killed in a checkpoint clash.
According to reports, Ethiopia troops often cross into southern and central
Somalia and fight the Islamists controlling the towns. But it is the first
time Ethiopian troops have crossed into the 1991 self-declared
semi-autonomous region of Somaliland.
Ethiopian soldiers searched several Somaliland trucks and held them for
several days to the protest of villagers, residents of Buhoodle district in
Somaliland. The Ethiopian forces had crossed from neighbouring Ethiopia into
Somaliland about two weeks ago.
"The Ethiopian forces seized some public transports vehicles from the city.
Many people were angered and they clashed with the Ethiopian troops,
stirring heavy fighting," Buhoodle commissioner Osman Yousef Mohamed was
quoted by AFP.
Most people are reported to be fleeing Buhoodle village for fear that the
clashes will continue because the Ethiopians haven't left and Buhoodle
militias are getting reinforcements.
Despites its independence not being internationally recognised, Somaliland
has enjoyed good relations with Ethiopia irrespective of Ethiopia's feud
with the rest of Somalia.
Somaliland has always allowed Ethiopia use of the strategic Berbera port,
and in return Ethiopia has always assisted Somaliland with security and
protection from Somali. However this mutually beneficial relationship is
under threat given the rising tension in the region.
According to eyewitness reports, more Ethiopian troops have moved into
Somalland following the recent altercation.
Conversely, Somaliland continues to claim the entire area of the former
British Somalia. Since 1991 it has been governed by a secessionist
administration as the Republic of Somaliland. The breakaway republic, which
declared its independence in May 1991, remains unrecognized by any state or
international organization.
Although many foreign governments maintain informal ties with the state,
with an increasing number of foreign delegations and embassies having been
established in the capital Hargesisa, it does not have full diplomatic
recognition.
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