One big difference is the Somali and Afar move in smaller numbers (brothers or cousins or uncles and families) the Oromo really move in big numbers like whole clan of tens of thousands and claim everything on their way, take their time until they choose permanent destination and is overtaken. Setlled previously by others or not doesn't matter. Where ever the Oromo settled its theirs, never leave unless pushed by Somalis or Adal's the two (almost one) that pushed them away from the seas. There is no Oromo near the sea anywhere even in Kenya. Where as Somali and Afar never go far from the sea. That is a very strange fact. Land ownership the Oromo had socialist kind ownership and when the Habeshi came the administrator Amhara is owner of the land and the Oromo woked for him on the land that was theirs for 1/4 or 1/3 of the produce. When Derg came nationalized land and the Oromo serfs really took revenge on the settler landlords in some cases just tied them with rope and threw them by the cliff. Not civilized. Could have arrested and made them to work on the farm. Now in Ethiopia all land is of the state.

Wrong. Even among Somali, land is always owned or controlled by people or group who live there. You think you can just walk to Qandela and pick a spot and claim it. Be practical. What right does someone displaced from Mogadishu have right to claim land in Jigjiga, just because he is another Somali? . That is never done anywhere. Why would Somali society then organize in clan, sub clann sultanate boqor etc. I know you are joking I hope.or being sarcastic.

First of all they are Somali and there are 6-7 million Somali in Ethiopia Secondly Somali kilil is not densely populated The UN and Ethiopia also have agreeement that where possible people get settled even if they leave few years later. It makes it easier on them, children can go to school and people are not idle. Actually the UN does not deduct from distribution even if the people make income. Even Travel document and ID was made quite simple and less corrupt process. Both the Tigray and the Somali kilil population and fighters/then soldiers have gone through a lot. It helps in policy making.

Sudan and Ethiopia have really cultural and musical people to people exchange down to villages in many places. Intermarriage is also quite common, yet has nothing to do with militaries. Most Ethiopian kids in the north would know and sing one Sudanese song if not more. I know Somali Society is more closed than Sudanese or Ethiopian, but has been 3 decades now that Somali and Ethiopian peoples interacting government or not.

Suldaanka, Any government is fair game, but not the people. Its Ethiopian policy that when soldiers enter a city to immediately survey make their camp away from citizens and only soldiers that can speak the language in this case Somali can patrol or lead patrol team. Is same policy in Ruanda, Brundi, Liberia, Darfur, Abiye, South Sudan.. Meles actually spoke in parliament during war with ICU. The wife of Dr. Abdumejid who was member of Parliament there asked a question so that the local population would not think the Morgan, Aidiid etc days are not back. The Ethiopian, Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland Bay regional govts are fair game, but Ethiopians especially since 91 are very sensitive. ICU propaganda in Mogadishu was untrue, Puntland soldiers that were with Ethiopians where needed embedded interpreters since the Somali Ethiopians are foreigners for all purposes. This is a bit cruel. And 30% of the population to boot. Are you aware there has been 300-600 thousand Somali displaced in Ethiopia at all times last decades. They are not treated like Kenya. Actually thousands of them were given land and settled in Ethiopia.

I am afraid you have mistaken assessment of the situation. Neighbours. Ethiopia in all its history has never had as much peceful and friendly relation with its neighbors exception of course Eritrea who has had some new country testastrone problem with every single one of his neighbours. In 1991 there was no option that can save Ethiopia but regional autonomy. Everybody was packed and ready to go. Of course only 3 can implement with fire power Tigray, Afar and Somali. The arrangement is similar to that of Canada, little growth of economy and complete all regions food self sufficiency will solve rest. As for ports its a chance of history. Ethiopia at the time was ruled by menelik a king who does not come from sea faring background or history and did not want to fight any european. Its like as if all Somali were ruled by someone from Bay or Jigjiga who is not to risk his power fighting for Kismayu or Zeila. That is exactly what happened. Menelik comes from dead center of Ethiopia, never interacted with sea through centureis. On the other hand Switzerland should be the optimistic example and Afhanistan the worst. The Afghans also like parts of Ethiopia were hardly colonized, but now fighting has become culture. The Somali also suffers from same culture of fighting for all small and big things. One key problem, gift of nature, for Ethiopia is Egypt. That problem needs to be managed better. Egyptians should think of growing some of their food in Ethiopia and help Ethiopia in other fields. Win win and interdependendent. This zero sum game now maybe in favour of Egypt, but fast changing in favour of Ethiopia. Egyptians were promising Israel nile water (40km from Israel border), but Israel has other idea through Saudi Arabia pipeline. Shorter cheaper and also not blackmailed by Egypt. Sadat Mubarek and Sissi have all signed and promised Israel, but are missing the leverage. Saudi have more money, are more importnat. Egypt will suffer catastrophically when Israel build parallel swiss canal from Ilat to Mediteranean. Plan, companies to build it is all in the shelf. Until then Egypt will have upper hand on Ethiopia even to shut suez for Ethiopian ships.

maakhiri1, Ethiopia has been land locked since 1890 except for 2 decades in the 70s and 80s. The rest was war in Eritrea so the only reliable port has always been Djibouti. I am sure you know that it was Russia that saved Ethiopia and America for Liberia during the Berlin conference when Europeans devied up Africa. Lavrov's visit at this particular time must have some other meaning than just Energy, nuclear center and some cultural deals. I say Ethiopia is like Mohamed Ali wobbly taking jabs but unchanged on its current map since menelik got to rule the left over from all sides. Some good news: Somali and Afar regions are getting industrial park each soon. In Somali kilil the land has already been identified and marked. This is like the chinese industrial parks where electricity and water supplies and roads in out can be just one and very economical. Can employ up to 20,000 each. Will have also extension for food/meat processing. It will change the nomads attitude towards goat and consider it as comodity. One of the big problem is when there is draught the nomads hold on to dying animals instead of selling them. And when season improves start maybe with less, but atleast the nomads are introduced to money.

How silly and stupid one can get, when they do not know their self worth. Some Ethiopian diaspora organizations had their bags packed waiting for transitional government. Incredible. These diaspora have no idea that Illey has more fire power than few african countries. Someone Cab driver from DC wnats to be minister so bad with facebook army and some congressman friend. He must hang himself now knowing that is not in the cards.

USA and Ethiopia have had 115 years of diplomatic relations. Never interrupted except the 5 years of War between Italy and Ethiopia where USA was neutral, but commercially supported Italy.

History is cruel. He never got out of his tribe stance. He needed allies from the Kikuyu and never achieved it. Remember colonial days are still influencing in Kenya politics. He was never able to put others at ease and feel comfortable with him. Neighbors like Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania alos do not help his situation. The previous election violence was bad.

You mean the one in Moyale or you have heard other place? Why do you need uncle Sam? Uncle Sam has always been inpatient with TPLF. Its just Amhara propaganda and lie that has been repeated adnausium about Uncle Sam bringing to power. Israel may have more inside than others and of course pro-israel in USA. Deopending where you rely for your sources of information on Ethiopia, there is a lot of things said that is patently false, example Hilary Clinton was friendly to Ethiopia. Quite the contrary. She was friendly to an extent that the clinton foundation got 2 million dollars from Al Amoudi.

UAE soldiers are among most expensive.

maakihiri1, This UAE case is very complicated and getting complicated by the day. I am afraid SFG had all the information and some among it may have shown lineancy. Otherwise the normal thing to do would have been: Call emergency session of Parliament, pass resolutions and file papers with International institutions In the Parliament resolution send specific message to governments of Ethiopia and UAE notifying them of friendship brotherhood yada yada and then telling them Somalia will not abide or honour by this agreement. This would mean that Somalia both is opening door for discussion with these countries, so is not a declaration of war or enmity. But as I see it SFG is trying to get some mileage from it, but not working hard to at best annul it, or at least modify it and make Somalia part of it. No time to waste on this if serious., Time will give chance to UAE to work the internet world and then prepare to weaken or dismantle the SFG by some other way.

Tillerson does not seem happy with American ways of Trump, but then again as late president Jamal Abdelnasir said " You Americans do stupid things and the worst part is you Americans do stupid things in a very complicated way. You make us think thsat we are missing something, we must be missing something, how can America do such a stupid mistake. We spend a lot of time and money and you achieve our delay, our lack of confidence and failure to act"

Looks like perfect opportunity for you folks to invite America. But America always comes with trouble. The British are not interested and also too expensive for them. The British would rather be in Djibouti city spying on everybody and if push comes shove there is always Ethiopia as their local fall back. That is why every year the British are biggest budgetary supporter and developments projects funder in Ethiopia. Djibouti is where the action is, the epicenter. Somaliland and Eritrea are only next best position to look by binaculars. Yemen situation changes and Somaliland's and Eritrea will have to discount their prices, even Djibouti will be only 1/2 as critical.

That is a bit too strong. One thing is for sure. Ethiopia would never do something like this without at least discussing this with Somalia and also close by regions. Ethiopia gives more importance to the Somali people close and around Ethiopia more than the 19% which Ethiopia has to materially contribute either by building roads, providing land etc. If Mr. Farmaajo uses this to whip up nationalism and enmity to Ethiopians in Mogadishu: The Ethiopian minister who took a trip to Mogadishu and the Ambassador of Somalia are going to speak what was said in this process. Every government is acceptable to do some nationalism and politics, but trying to create hateful propaganda will not be helpful to nobody. How come Djibouti who is doing a fight for their dear "life" in this case never mention Ethiopia? What is Mr. Farmaajo going to do if the whole discussion moved to Puntland? Is he going to stop Puntland development too? I think he could have negotiated with UAE to get involved in some capacity on the deal. He of course needs to file papers with all international institutions, that way when Somalia improves someone can follow up with influence and power. Question to those who want Farmaajo to make this a fight with UAE: Are you sure even individually to raise funds needed to make the diplomatic fight? Every where you are organizing fund raisings, car washes, cultural shows...which would help also unite Somalis. Takes about 60 hours each of you. Are you sure you will contribute to bring all regions and most importantly Mogadishu to peace and order, so that there is nobody that will co-operate with UAE for any reason commericial interest or other? Are you sure to bring pressure on regional governmors and MPs to behave and discipline required for this fight? It is easy to say Ethiopia Ethiopia or Habeshi or MMA's nick for Habeshi raw meat eating lol (FYI its a very small part one province that do that from 15-17 provinces), but not easy to recognize the work that needs to be done to achieve it.

I don't think about Somalia, but for sure about Djibouti. UAE knows more than anyone else how close Djibouti and Ethiopia are and its multifaceted its business, its heritage, its ancestry..its everything human beings have relations on. Both America and UAE are against Djibouti for different reasons. UAE may have been n Ethiopia for the gas business and to lock gas business through Somaliland. The American companies are just cover for UAE.

No not desperate, but preparing the ground for next step. Months of facebook, twitter, american media attcks is the ground work for what they want to do ultimately. If he folds by facebook and twitter fine, otherwise they go to next step.

lol why not he is right now the best man for himself and the people. He is doing what is good for himself and what is good for the people. Tillerson accusing the Chinese of making africans loose sovereignty means America will violate sovereignty of countries to fight China. Americans always accuse China or Russia of what they do, or want to do themselves. Americans most likely have a plan against Djibouti soverignty by using Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somaliland/Somalia.

Mr. Tllerson is Mr. Exxon himself Was there Gasprom man with Mr. Lavrov? Smart man Gheulleh is all quiet along with the Chinese, but for sure securing his back yard. The big sign will be what happens in Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia. America is recending sanctions on Sudan almost one per day, why?

Yes, but was total loss for ONLF. Almost half of its fighters including central committee members reconciled with the government A lot of its support even in diaspora questioned the nobleness of the idea/aim Djibouti, Somaliland, Puntland including Mugadishu saw that ONLF has bocome a mafia style operation to be hired everywhere in cluding in Mogadishu and south Somalia. 4 million might have made somebody rich, but was not used in the organization. Even the Italian mafia always protected its neighborhood. Women children elders were respected and protected by mafia. ONLF or maybe somebody in ONLF name did criminal and cruel acts in the kilil against ordinary people.

1913 Lij Iyasu of Ethiopia gives exploration and extraction of oil in Ethiopia to Standard Oil of New Jersey (became Exxon in 1972). 1916 Lij Iyasu was overthrown and British brought king Haileslassie to power. He gave the concession to Persian British oil company (now British petroluem). 1936 Standard oil of New Jersey was the only and main energy supplier of Italy invading Ethiopia and Musollini had agreed to give Standard Oil all concessions. 1941 The British restored Haileslassie against all odds and patriots who fought Italy. 1930 oil find is confirmed in Saudi Arabia. The Soviets did the initial leg work and supported the Saud. The British took over from them and prepared Iraq, Saudi and other areas like Kwait for total domination. 1945 The British were bankrupt and out of game. American president Roosevelt brought Kings Saud and Haileslassie to a ship and told them the following: Saud - America will protect you and America is only and only one that will have all concessions Haileslassie: forget oil do Electrical generation that will light all africa and even Saudia Saud did as told and got as promissed Haileslassie was too chicken , avoided risk of Egypt and did nothing, his people starved. Ethiopia is still poor and backward for ethiopian kings greed, stupidity and cowardice.

Religion may have its place and use for Russia in this case Religion may have its place and use for America in this case, but both are in different regions. American religions are in Oromo and a bit Amhara that is close to Oromo and in city of Gonder. Russian religion is Northern Ethiopia Religion is being and always used as tool easiest tool to find soldiers. Never forget that wars are done for resources, roads, waterways, mines....

Che, Remember we are back to 1900s. Think always what happened then and why? Look at the other thread on natural gas If developed the plan was either through Djibouti or Somalia (China, Malaysia or Singapore - all chinese anyway) UAE might want now through Smaliland America may accept through Somaliland but first choice would be Somalia (Puntland) Remeber the poor nomad or farmer is never told what he is fighting for.

All wars are bankers wars All wars are Economic China was to build pipeline Ethiopia to Djibouti and or Puntland. The Americans were unhappy about it and ONLF was main to fight the Chinese, Malysia, and Singapore companies. This now has become gas issue, since that is easier than the oil and During Meles time no oil was to be extracted or processed. In 1916 a Prince/emperor was overthrown in Ethiopia competition between British Petroleum and Standard Oil of New Jersey (Exxon). The Brtish won then, but the Americans after 2nd world war won back. The problem now is all China, America and UAE have to rely on one force. Coup has not been successful a few generals that tried in 2014 have been already released from prison, abondoning their plans and telling the government everything involved. Could America and Russia agreed on something. Both agreed to work on Energy in Ethiopia. How far have USA pressured Ethiopia against Djibouti, against its own interest?