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SOMALIA: MELES ZENAWI PLAYS THE TERROR CARD May 12, 2005
Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr. Meles Zenawi said there’s an active terror cell in Mogadishu, Somalia in an interview with the Associated Press. This bold statement coincides with today’s African Union (AU) meeting in Addis Ababa, in which the organization is trying to help Ethiopian backed new Somali government. It also coincides with human rights report on Ethiopia.
Just yesterday, Human Rights Watch accused the Ethiopian government of widespread human rights abuses in Oromo region. Somalis under Ethiopian occupation also report similar brutalities. People who oppose Ethiopia’s occupation are labeled as terrorists and often die in government hands.
Mogadishu warlords are opposed to the new government backed by Mr. Zenawi and today’s claim can be interpreted as an effort to get the US on his side. Somali political analysts say it should be fully investigated before one side of the struggle is taken seriously. The other side always accuses Ethiopia of smuggling weapons into Somalia.
Mr. Zanawi came to power in 1990 after his armed militia overthrew the former regime in a bloody confrontation.