When there is no one to say no, you are wrong then dictators go wild

[Old_Observer]

Memembers of Derg/Mengistu Hailemariam have written books, op-eds etc. One thing common is almost each one of them mentions that Mengistu near the end had started talking like:

1. You know that I am an Economist and he looks to the person, the person nodes and he is good

2. You know that I am a military strategist and a general nodes and he is good

3. You know that I am a lawyer by training and a person even lawyers just node and are good

These are real stories. At this level the dictator has nobody around him to say no sir this is black not brown and its the end.

Isayas of Eritrea now has taken this to next level. He told to the first VP of Sudan to overthrow Bashir and Egypt and Eritrea would be supportive.

 

The Eritrea-Sudan border standoff: did Isaias whisper treason?

March 20, 2018

 

 

Martin Plaut

In January this year Sudanese troops were sent to man the country’s border with Eritrea. The border was sealed: trade between the neighbouring states ceased.

This has caused real hardship for many on both sides of the border – but particularly in Eritrea, which relies on imports from Sudan.

So what is behind these dramatic events?

Sudan Vice PresThe origins of the dispute can be traced back to a visit to Eritrea by the Sudanese First Vice – President and National Prime Minister, Lt. Gen. Bakri Hassan Salih in December last year.

The official Sudanese statementsaid the two sides had “discussed progress of the bilateral relations between two countries and issues of mutual concern.”

But Sudanese sources suggest the discussions were far more dramatic. Sudan has been drifting away from its traditional alliance with Egypt, and closer to Ethiopia.

Khartoum has sided with Addis Ababa rather than Cairo over Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance dam on the Nile.

At the same time relations between Eritrea and Egypt have been warming. During General Salih’s visit to Asmara, President Isaias Afwerki suggested that the time was ripe for the General to replace President Omar al Bashir as Sudanese head of state.

Apparently speaking with the authority of Cairo, President Isaias said that such a move would be supported by both Eritrea and Egypt.

When General Salih returned to Khartoum the news was received with consternation.

Sudanese troops were rushed to the Eritrean border and the border sealed.

[Old_Observer]

Beyond a certain point, A dictator has achieved enough power and influence, he can at will arrest or kill, those who are capable to say NO, you are wrong.

Example: 1977 Ethiopia Somalia war:

There were WSLF members who opposed the high involvement and some visible involvement of the Republic. Yet late President Barre was in no mood to listen and he demoted some, and froze others. Law on behold that was the downside of the war and the main reason for the defeat of Somalia.

Example: Mengistus campaign in Eritrea and stationing most elite of the Army near the place where TPLF started.

Both armies about 60,000 in Eritrea and some 20,000 in Shire/Tigray were destroyed by joint operatins/war by TPLF and EPLF.

Then some generals moved to overthrow Mengistu, he killed them and was all downhill. Those who had warned Mengistu that the rebels have tanks and if they defeat the army it will shock and demoralize were one in prison and others assigned to other departments.