Breaking News: Ethiopia amassing troops heavy artillery on Somalia border

[OdaySomali]

BORAMA — The Ethiopian Federal military is preparing an action plan in the event of an attack following the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The force is deploying ground troops on number of fronts.

 

Thousands troops backed by heavy artillery are massing up on the country’s border with Somaliland. According to eyewitnesses more than 4,000 soldiers crossed into Jigjiga on Tuesday and are said to be heading to the border.

 

The news of the build-up has prompted Somaliland to respond and spread its own forces along the long common-border. Local reports indicate that they have been placed on high alert with fears rebels might try to destabilise the region.

 

The death of one of Africa’s most powerful and divisive leaders has fomented security fears in the Horn of African nation. Meles, 57, has ruled Africa’s second most populous country with an iron-fist for over two decades.

 

Ethiopia fears its ethnic-based federations might disintegrate with the absence of a strong man like Meles Zenawi. The current deployment is designed to prevent the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF), operating in the Somali Region, to take advantage of the situation.

 

The death of the former Tigray rebel man is feared might spark new clashes between Addis Ababa and the various ethnic-based armed rebels in the country.

 

The armed forces have pledge their support for Meles’ little known successor and a close friend of Somaliland, the former foreign minister and deputy, Hailemariam Desalegn. The Ethiopian Parliament is expected to swear him in before an emergency session of the 547 member legislative.

 

Somaliland has paid tribute to Meles, who died of an unknown illness, saying he was a “true friend of, in all likelihood, always be grateful to Ethiopians”. In Hargeisa, hundreds including the President gathered in the Ethiopian representative office to hold vigils and offer their condolences to the Ethiopian people.

 

President Ahmed Silanyo promised to send a high ranking delegation to Addis Ababa to take part in the funeral and inauguration of a new leader. He reiterated Somaliland’s continuous friendship and support for its neighbour.

 

Somalilandpress

 

http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-ethiopian-troops-mass-on-border-34133