OD,
Ethiopia will claim the entire Horn but until now it has never made historical claims to Berbera but I am aware they religiously believe Djibouti is an Ethiopian territory that Menelik II leased to France for 99 years.
Remember during the referendum vote for independence, Ethiopia manipulate the vote to ensure they did not vote for unity with Somali Republic---using the Afar. The French agreed with the Ethiopians that it was both of their interest to ensure Djibouti stood solo and not became part of Somali Republic.
They always argue that is why the railway was taken there and so forth.
As for SL and Mogadishu, well Hawiye is always better than becoming another Ogaden region for the Habasha to explore and introduce few dhaanto songs. That's no brainer.
Jabuutawi,
Ethiopia will not seek military annexation of Djibouti but very basic economic integration, then monetary integration, then political integration. This is already on the Ethiopian master plan. This motion is already in action.
By 2050, Djibouti should be an extension of Shinile zone.
Some views from Ethiopians on this issue.
By Yohannes Anberbir
Economic integration is defined by Investopedia - an authoritative financial dictionary - as an economic arrangement between different regions marked by the reduction or elimination of trade barriers and the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies.
The aim of economic integration is to reduce costs for both consumers and producers, as well as to increase trade between the countries taking part in the agreement. This sentiment was reiterated by policymakers from Ethiopia and their counterparts from their eastern neighbor - Djibouti. Now, it seems that the two countries are taking their first steps towards social and economic integration which could eventually be followed by political integration, reports Yohannes Anberbir from Djibouti.
Many Ethiopians do not see this as an integration but rather as a reunification.
Djibouti Reunion with Ethiopia: Global Impact
The long-simmering discussions between Djiboutian and Ethiopian leaders about creating a political union have now reached critical mass1. The outcome would have profound impact on the regional balance and the Suez-Red Sea sea lines of communication (SLOC). But, despite the fact that this might be the most opportune time for the two countries to reunite (and to restore Ethiopia's historical rôle as a Red Sea power), there will still be a major regional panic by some leaders who will be disenfranchised by the move. Nonetheless, the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh (widely referred to as IOG), has taken the lead in bringing the matter into public debate, while Ethiopian officials have cautiously been attempting to determine whether IOG's statements reflect Djiboutian public opinion.
The parallel to the UK-Hong Kong-China situation is apposite. Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia leased Djibouti to France for 99 years, from around 1894, after the French had (in 1885) established a presence among the Issa and Afar peoples and built a port city on land acquired from Issa notables. But Djibouti's fortunes have always been linked to Ethiopia, and the city-state serves as an entrepôt for Ethiopian trade. Ethiopia has, in recent years, leased farmland to Djibouti to assist Djiboutian food supply.
https://www.questia.com/magazine/1P3-36 ... bal-impact
Ethiopian policy makers have one golden rule; keep the lid on everything and afford anything that could attract publicity and any eyes both regional and international. They play dead like the possum.