Thousands of Ethiopian soldiers have died for Somalia in the fight against the extremist group al-Shabaab, said Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed.
“No-one died for Somalia more than Ethiopians,” he said. He made the remark this morning briefing the members of Parliament. Responding if Ethiopia is going to war with neighboring Somalia as a result of the resident MOU with Somaliland to have access to the sea, Abiy noted that his country has no intention to harm it neighbor Somalia.
Hurso, we trained recently Somali soldiers in thousands at Hurso training camp and sent to Somalia soldiers…If we had ill intention, why we do this,” Abiy questioned. “We have no plan of harming Somalia …We aspire to see Somalia beefing from Ethiopia and Ethiopia benefiting from Somalia and both prospering,” he said.
He noted that there are more Somalis in Ethiopia next to the Main Somalia. He noted that four Ethiopia’s rivers including Wabi Shebelle River stream to Somalia helping the country to produce food.
He stated that Ethiopia asked very little as a nation of 120 million people giving share of Ethiopian Airlines and Ethio Telecom to have [access to the see].
Abiy indicated that we are willing to discuss with anyone with the principle of ‘give and take’. Meanwhile there are forces who doesn’t wat peace in the area and war between Ethiopia and Somalia.