ሽፍታው ሞገሴ

Abiy Ahmed must stop Oromo expansionism I have been a strong supporter of PM Abiy Ahmed & his style of leadership in Addis. His remarkable success in enhancing freedom in the country, liberalise the economy and protecting the territorial integrity of his nation were particluarly astounding. We’ve stood with him as he fought off those who wanted him out. However, by dint of his failure to rein in his Oromo community from trumpling on the rights of others, he has hugely opened himself up to necessary criticisms. The current invasion of the Somali region by Oromo forces, and the apparent tacit involvement of Abiy regime's special forces and troops on the Oromo side was unprecedented, and a strategic miscalulation. It has galvanised opposition across the Somali region, and far wide accross Ethiopia. Somalis have been his administration's key supporters, and he needs them more on his side in his current war in the North. And Somali region, neglected for long by his predecessors, requires economic development, not war. Why would hoisting of a Somali flag and opening of a regional office in the Somali region be a concern for the Oromo? To any discerning observer, Oromo's long-held expansionist agenda now seems to be on steroids, emboldened by PM Abiy's rise to power. Moyale may be a critical border town, but it is in the Somali region. Attempting to ethnically cleanse its Somali population, or forcefully taking it over is irrational. It's the same script that's being attempted on Zeila' and Assab. It will likely be his administration's Waterloo! Ethiopia needs peace as Africa’s diplomatic hub. Abiy needs to urgently put his thumb on cessation of the agression by his Oromo extremists. In 2019, he won Nobel Peace Prize for ending the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea, facilitating regional diplomacy, and releasing thousands of political prisoners, etc. He should not let his legacy crumble under unnecessary conflicts.