Ethiopia reinstates its “divide and rule policy” towards Somalia

The relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have been good during Farmajo's presidency after Addis Ababa developed a closer cooperation with Mogadishu. 

News Keydmedia Online
9 August 2022

JIGJIGA, Ethiopia - The government of Ethiopia under the leadership of the embattled PM Abiy Ahmed changed its policy towards neighboring Somalia after Farmajo, a key ally left office in June.

Addis Ababa reinstated its well-known "divide and rule policy" towards Somalia to score its geopolitical goal and security interests in the long-chaotic country which is now recovering from a conflict.

The Ethiopian government invited several regional states' leaders to Addis Ababa to sign security cooperation deals. Southwest State leader Abdulaziz Lafta Garen became the first to heed the call.

Laftagaren arrived in Jig-jiga, the capital of the Somali Regional state. At Jigjiga Airport, the President's delegation was welcomed by Mustafe Agjar, ministers, officials, and military officers.

Southwest State President's visit to Jig-jiga city is based on ensuring the security of the borders between his region and Ethiopia and the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.

The relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have been good during Farmajo's presidency after Addis Ababa developed closer cooperation with Mogadishu. 

During the civil war in Somalia, Ethiopia used to arm the warlords fighting for power and made several military interventions, including the 2006 incursion, and there are still troops that are not part of the AU mission.

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