Ethiopia II. [Conclusion]

This is coolbert:

Ethiopia and Somalia are once again at war. Just as in 1977, two of the world's most destitute nations are at loggerheads and are engaging in hostilities.

Ethiopian troops, supporting the forces of the internationally recognized Somali "transitional" government, have gone on the offensive, and right now, as we speak, have taken over and occupied the capital city of Mogadishu.

The Ethiopian government, now NOT communist, DOES feel threatened from the current wave of Islamic fundamentalism emanating from Mogadishu. A Islamic fundamentalist movement that has gained control, through force, of the Somali capital and was attempting to extend it's dominion over the rest of the nation [Somalia].

The fundamentalists are opposed by a Somali transitional government [recognized by the U.N]. Now aided and abetted the Ethiopian Army and Air Force.

[it is important to remember that Somalia has not had a "central government" for over fifteen years now. Central governments in Third World nations are usually very small and "rule" only in the capital city, and nominally at that. The rest of the country, where ever it is, is "ruled" by clan and tribal authority, elders holding sway, the man with the strongest "militia" exerting his power. Somalia is such a nation.]

At this very moment, the fundamentalists seem to be on the run. Have engaged in battle with the transitional/Ethiopian force and were beaten. Fundamentalist "troops" have been seen shaving their beards and tossing away their skullcaps.

The fundamentalists seem to be on the losing side in this one. Have aspired to "take control" of all of Somalia, but are being prevented from doing so.

These seem to be Taliban style Islamic fundamentalists. A real threat to Somali as a whole, and to the entire region of the Horn of Africa.

Here is a sampling from the JihadWatch web site regarding Somalia:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014415.php

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014307.php

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014129.php

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014067.php

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/013562.php

This is what worries Ethiopia so. Ethiopia is an ancient Christian country. Ethiopia was Christian before MOST of Europe was Christian. Christian of the Coptic denomination. Still a very vibrant brand of Christianity. BUT living in close proximity and more or less surrounded by a host of Islamic nations, many of the very fundamentalist type, such as Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

[during the early part of Muhammad's "preaching", the Prophet was given refuge by the Ethiopian King!]

"in 615 he [Muhammad] ordered 83 families to take refuge in Ethiopia."

Ethiopia does consist of a variety of ethnic groups, the Christians for almost 1700 years ruling and holding sway. Going to be difficult to do in the future. Demographics is going against the Christian. The religious breakdown is:

"Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%"

A restive Muslim populace, with backing from any one of the "neighbor" nations, will pose a real threat to continued "Christian" rule. The Ethiopians I am sure are well aware of this. They do not want a Lebanon-style war to occur with Christian pitted against Muslims.

Taliban-style rulers in Somali not wanted!

coolbert