The aftermath of the fighting ...
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ETHIOPIA ― A high-level Saudi delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for talks on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing shared regional and global concerns. The delegation engaged in discussions with Ethiopian officials, focusing on enhancing cooperation and exploring opportunities in areas of mutual interest.
⌫ That's is how the news from Ethiopia has been reported. But the beef is here:
While Saudi Arabia values its relations and trade with Ethiopia, there is a pressing issue in the region that remains off-limits for discussion: the safety and security of the Red Sea, along with the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Red Sea littoral countries. These countries few years ago formed the Red Sea Cooperation Council security alliance.
With Ethiopia's trigger-happy leader harboring ambitions to turn his landlocked country into a maritime state, by force if necessary, the threat of using military action against a member state of the "alliance" will not be taken lightly by Saudi and Egypt, another military might of the alliance.
Such a reckless and illegal move could provoke involvement from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and potentially other members of the Arab League, both militarily, diplomatically, and financially. The consequences on Ethiopia would be catastrophic.
Abiy Ahmed may have relied on the Emirates to support his ambitions, but despite the funding and military equipment the UAE has helped him acquire, allegedly, he has demonstrated in the ongoing conflicts within the country that he lacks the military capability to even sustain a fight against a poorly armed rebel group, let alone confront a battle-hardened, heavily armed, and now petro-dollar-backed might of the Eritrean military.
Though not publicly reported, it's obvious the Saudis are quietly trying to persuade PM Abiy Ahmed with some incentives (carrots) to bring him down to his senses and consider the underlying factors, rather than just listening to his own ego. Such strategic blunders could not only further devastate the already struggling country and economy, but also jeopardize his own hold on power.
Let’s hope the inexperienced PM takes that advice to heart and corrects his disastrous course quickly, as the Saudis will go to any lengths to protect their sphere of influence in the Red Sea.
«ጨው ለራስክ ስትል ጣፍጥ» ነው እየተባልክ ያለከው!
