Mereja.Forum

ጥርት ያለ አማርኛ ያውቃል!

I inquired whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) still existed, and DeepSeek responded with a definitive, “heck no.” I found this response quite intriguing and thought-provoking.

I am just saying

Fed_Up wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2025, 14:08

I inquired whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) still existed, and DeepSeek responded with a definitive, “heck no.” I found this response quite intriguing and thought-provoking.

I am just saying

If you asked about Horus, I'm sure it would also have told you that he's in deep sh'it, as his dream is shuttered.

Fed_Up wrote: ↑

28 Jan 2025, 14:08

I inquired whether the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) still existed, and DeepSeek responded with a definitive, “heck no.” I found this response quite intriguing and thought-provoking.

I am just saying

I asked Deepseek: What is the current relationship between Issaias Afeworki and Somalia?
Deepseek: I am thinking ...
It is already dead. The smart opportunist Somalis stabbed Issaias from the back and run away to greener pastures where they can develop their economies with Ethiopia. For Somalis, little and poor Eritrea which is shunned by America and the West has nothing to offer to Somalia, except old and outdated guns and the trouble that comes with it.

My next question would be:
Will life under Arab slavery by burning Eritrean languages, history and identity improve the lot of current and future Eritrea? Can you name a country that did better under Arab Islamic slavery?

Well, deepseek doesn't lie. I asked it "why Eritrea is a poor country?" it said,

"Okay, I need to figure out why Eritrea is a poor country based on the search results provided. Let me start by going through each of the webpages to gather relevant information.

Webpage 1 talks about Eritrea's history, mentioning colonization by Italy and later control by Britain. After WWII, it was given to Ethiopia, which neglected Eritrea's economy. The 30-year war for independence (1961-1991) devastated infrastructure and industry. Post-independence, the government's focus on self-reliance led to rejecting aid during droughts, worsening poverty. Also, landmines from wars hinder mining, a potential resource. 1

Webpage 2 lists facts about poverty in Eritrea. Key points include the impact of the war with Ethiopia, cultural practices affecting sanitation, limited rural access to clean water (48.6% in rural vs 93.1% urban), reliance on agriculture that only contributes 13% to GDP, susceptibility to droughts, low HDI (0.351), and high migration rates. The border conflict with Ethiopia consumes resources. 3

Webpage 3 highlights unlimited national service (forced conscription), political repression, economic issues like government interference in businesses, dependence on rain-fed agriculture, high defense spending over agriculture, leading to food insecurity. Also mentions debt issues and refugee crisis. 4

Webpage 4 is a PubMed abstract stating that over 66% live below the poverty line, and government anti-poverty programs are ineffective due to lack of resources. 5

Webpage 5 discusses poor governance, lack of structural reforms, underdeveloped legal frameworks, and mentions the economy was okay from 1993-1997 before droughts and wars hit. High debt-to-GDP ratio (163.8% in 2022) and reliance on remittances. 6

Webpage 6 is a World Bank link but content is not accessible beyond cookies notice.

Webpage 7 from Nations Encyclopedia mentions high poverty rates post-war, poor access to sanitation (13%) and safe water (22%), high illiteracy (49-80%), and lack of schools/healthcare. 9

Webpage 8 details the impact of conflict on poverty, with 50% below poverty line, droughts affecting agriculture, mandatory military service taking men away from families, and reliance on community support. 10

Webpage 9 provides economic stats: 80% in subsistence agriculture but only 12.1% of GDP, mining as main industry. High military spending, inflation (11.8%), and 50% population below poverty line. 14

Webpage 10 reiterates poverty due to post-independence challenges, droughts, war, and failed poverty programs. Low literacy (49%), poor sanitation/water access. 16

Synthesizing all this, the main causes seem to be:

1. **Conflict and War**: The prolonged war with Ethiopia destroyed infrastructure and diverted resources. Ongoing tensions and military spending take away from development. [citations:1,2,3,8,9]

2. **Colonial and Post-Colonial Neglect**: Under Ethiopian rule, Eritrea's economy was neglected. Post-independence, rebuilding was hampered by recurring conflicts. [citations:1,2,5,10]

3. **Environmental Challenges**: Drought-prone, rain-fed agriculture leads to food insecurity. Recurrent droughts exacerbate poverty. [citations:2,4,5,8,10]

4. **Governance Issues**: Authoritarian regime, unlimited national service, repression, poor economic policies, focus on military over development. [citations:3,5,9,10]

5. **Economic Structure**: Heavy reliance on low-productivity agriculture, limited industrialization, underdeveloped sectors, reliance on remittances. [citations:2,5,7,9]

6. **Social and Infrastructure Deficits**: Poor access to clean water, sanitation, education, healthcare. High illiteracy and malnutrition. [citations:2,7,8,10]

7. **International Isolation and Aid Refusal**: Self-reliance policies led to rejecting humanitarian aid, limiting foreign investment. [citations:1,3,5]

8. **Debt and Resource Mismanagement**: High public debt, mismanagement of natural resources like minerals. [citations:3,5,9]

I need to structure these points coherently, citing relevant sources. Make sure to mention the key factors like wars, governance, environment, economy, and social issues. Avoid repeating the same citations too much. Maybe group under historical, political, economic, environmental, and social factors.

Eritrea's status as one of the world's poorest countries stems from a complex interplay of historical, political, economic, and environmental challenges. Below is a detailed analysis of the key factors contributing to its poverty:
1. Historical Conflicts and Wars

Eritrea’s modern history is marked by prolonged conflict, including a 30-year war for independence from Ethiopia (1961–1991) and a subsequent border war (1998–2000). These wars devastated infrastructure, destroyed industrial capacity, and diverted resources to military spending rather than development 1310. Post-independence tensions with Ethiopia persist, maintaining a "no war, no peace" stalemate that consumes national resources and deters foreign investment 34.
2. Governance and Political Repression

The authoritarian regime under the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) prioritizes military control over economic reform. Mandatory, indefinite national service forces much of the population into low-paid labor, stifling economic productivity and driving mass migration 414. Political repression limits freedoms, discourages private enterprise, and isolates Eritrea from international aid and partnerships 46.
3. Environmental Vulnerability and Agricultural Dependence

Approximately 80% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, but the sector contributes only 12–13% to GDP due to arid landscapes, recurrent droughts, and reliance on rain-fed farming 314. Severe droughts, such as those in 2002–2004, decimate crops and livestock, leading to food insecurity for over 60% of households 1016. Limited irrigation infrastructure exacerbates these challenges 9.
4. Economic Mismanagement and Resource Constraints

Dependence on Remittances and Mining: With limited industries, Eritrea relies on diaspora remittances and nascent mining sectors (gold, copper, zinc). However, landmines from past wars hinder mineral extraction, and revenue is often diverted to military spending 114.

Debt and Inflation: Public debt exceeds 160% of GDP, and high inflation (11.8%) destabilizes the economy 614. Currency controls and a lack of foreign exchange further constrain growth 14.

Underdeveloped Infrastructure: Poor transportation networks and limited access to clean water (48.6% in rural areas) and sanitation (13% nationally) hinder development 39.

5. Social and Human Development Deficits

Education and Healthcare: Literacy rates are as low as 49%, with rural children often missing school due to poverty. Healthcare access is limited outside urban areas, contributing to high infant mortality (70 per 1,000 births) and low life expectancy (50–66 years) 916.

Malnutrition and Migration: Nearly 30% of children under five suffer from malnutrition, while thousands risk dangerous migrations to escape poverty and conscription 310.

6. International Isolation

Eritrea’s self-reliance policies have led to refusal of humanitarian aid during crises (e.g., 2006 drought) and strained relations with global institutions. Corruption perceptions rank it 162nd globally, deterring foreign investment 146.
Conclusion

While Eritrea has seen modest GDP growth from mining since 2008, systemic issues—ongoing militarization, environmental fragility, and governance failures—perpetuate poverty. International efforts, such as the African Development Bank’s drought resilience programs, offer limited relief, but sustainable progress requires political reform, economic diversification, and reconciliation with Ethiopia 3614.

And, "why is Somalia a failed state?" deepseek said,


"Okay, the user is asking why Somalia is considered a failed state. Let me go through the search results provided to find relevant information.

First, looking at the webpages, several mention Somalia's prolonged conflicts and lack of central government. Webpage 2 from Brookings in 2010 talks about Somalia being a failed state with no legitimate authority and multiple factions. That's a key point about governance collapse. Webpage 3 and 6 also discuss the absence of a functioning central government since 1991, leading to clan-based divisions. So historical conflicts and governance issues are major factors.

Next, the role of clans and warlords comes up a lot. Webpage 2 and 6 mention how clans and warlords took over after Siad Barre's fall, leading to civil war and power struggles. This factionalization prevents any central authority from taking hold. The arms embargo in webpage 2 is mentioned as ineffective, leading to a proliferation of weapons, which exacerbates the conflict.

Environmental challenges and climate change are highlighted in webpage 1 and 7. Recurrent droughts and floods contribute to displacement and resource conflicts. The UN reports in 2021 note that climate change is a driver of conflict, pushing people towards groups like Al-Shabaab. That's an important point linking environment to instability.

Economic factors like reliance on remittances and illicit economies (piracy, khat trade) are covered in webpages 2 and 6. The khat trade funds warlords, and piracy became a lucrative industry due to lack of governance. Also, the diaspora's financial support to different factions prolongs conflicts. This economic dimension is crucial for understanding why the state remains failed.

International intervention's mixed impact is mentioned in webpage 2 and 6. While AMISOM helped combat Al-Shabaab, other interventions like UN missions in the 90s failed, and external actors sometimes exploit Somalia's instability (like illegal fishing and waste dumping). The Brookings article suggests that international efforts have been inconsistent and sometimes counterproductive.

Somaliland's relative stability is noted in webpage 8, contrasting with the rest of Somalia. However, it's not internationally recognized, which complicates the overall statehood of Somalia. This shows internal divisions and the challenge of reunification.

Putting it all together, the main reasons are historical governance collapse, clan factionalism, environmental issues, economic reliance on illicit activities, and ineffective international interventions. Each factor interplays to keep Somalia in a failed state status despite some recent progress mentioned in webpage 4 and 7, like elections and infrastructure development. However, ongoing challenges like droughts and Al-Shabaab remnants still pose threats.

Somalia's classification as a "failed state" stems from a combination of historical, political, socio-economic, and environmental factors. Below is a detailed analysis of the key reasons, supported by evidence from the provided search results:
1. Prolonged Conflict and Governance Collapse

Somalia has lacked a stable central government since the overthrow of dictator Siad Barre in 1991, leading to decades of civil war, clan-based factionalism, and warlord dominance. The absence of a monopoly on violence allowed rival groups like Al-Shabaab, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), and clan militias to fragment the country into competing territories515. Attempts to establish transitional governments (e.g., the 2004 Transitional Federal Government) failed due to weak authority, corruption, and clan-based power struggles615. By 2010, Somalia was ranked as the world’s most failed state, with no single entity controlling its territory5.
2. Clan-Based Fractionalization

Somalia’s social structure is deeply rooted in clan loyalties, which have historically undermined national unity. After Barre’s fall, clans like the Isaaq, Majeerteen, and Hawiye formed militias to compete for resources and power, perpetuating cycles of violence156. Clan-based governance in regions like Somaliland and Puntland further fragmented the state, creating de facto autonomous zones that reject central authority518. Even efforts to form coalitions, such as the 2006 ICU, collapsed due to ideological and clan divisions7.
3. Environmental Vulnerabilities and Resource Scarcity

Somalia faces recurrent droughts, floods, and desertification, which have displaced millions and intensified competition over scarce resources. Climate change has exacerbated food insecurity, with 7.7 million Somalis requiring humanitarian aid in 2021117. These crises drive recruitment by armed groups like Al-Shabaab, which exploit desperation to gain followers117. Traditional livelihoods (e.g., pastoralism) have collapsed, leaving many dependent on aid or illicit economies17.
4. Illicit Economies and External Exploitation

The absence of governance enabled piracy, arms smuggling, and the khat trade to thrive. For example:

Piracy: Somali pirates generated 50–50–100 million annually by hijacking ships, with profits funding militias and destabilizing neighboring economies like Kenya515.

Khat Trade: A $250 million/year industry, khat imports from Kenya became a key revenue source for warlords, who taxed the trade to buy weapons5.

Illegal Fishing and Waste Dumping: Foreign entities exploited Somalia’s lawlessness to overfish its waters and dump toxic waste, further undermining local economies515.

5. Weak International Interventions

International efforts to stabilize Somalia have been inconsistent. While the African Union Mission (AMISOM) helped weaken Al-Shabaab after 2007, earlier interventions like the 1992–1994 UN mission failed due to poor coordination and withdrawal after the "Black Hawk Down" incident715. Foreign powers often prioritized counterterrorism over state-building, and regional actors (e.g., Ethiopia, Kenya) exacerbated divisions by backing rival factions515. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid remains underfunded, with only 70% of the 2021 response plan met despite severe droughts117.
6. Resilience and Recent Progress

Despite these challenges, Somalia has shown signs of recovery since 2012. The federal government reclaimed cities like Mogadishu and Kismayo from Al-Shabaab, established a new constitution, and partnered with AMISOM to weaken insurgents7. Infrastructure projects (e.g., Turkish-built hospitals and airports) and elections (e.g., Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s 2012 victory) signal tentative stability717. However, unresolved issues—such as Somaliland’s bid for independence and lingering clan rivalries—threaten long-term cohesion718.
Conclusion

Somalia’s status as a failed state is rooted in decades of governance collapse, clan fractionalization, environmental crises, and exploitative external dynamics. While recent progress offers hope, sustainable recovery demands inclusive governance, climate resilience, and coordinated international support that prioritizes Somali agency over external interests ...