Somali National News Agency
So
Ar
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
    Local NewsShow More
    Somali Ambassador to Yemen presents a copy his credentials to Deputy Foreign Minister
    May 31, 2025
    Minister of Family Opens Written Exam for National Human Rights Commission Candidates
    May 31, 2025
    Somalia Showcases Agricultural Innovation at IFAD Innovation Day 2025
    May 31, 2025
    SNA Commander meets Italian counterpart in Mogadishu
    May 31, 2025
    Mogadishu Hosts Key Meeting to Coordinate Somalia’s 65th Independence Day Celebrations
    May 30, 2025
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    Israel kills 2 Gaza aid seekers as UN warns of ‘catastrophic hunger’
    May 31, 2025
    A miraculous story of a Hujjaj from Libya
    May 27, 2025
    UNA Participates in International Conference on Islamophobia in Azerbaijan
    May 27, 2025
    At least 11 hurt in South Carolina beach town shooting
    May 26, 2025
    Runway lights weren’t working as pilot tried to land at foggy San Diego airport before fatal crash
    May 24, 2025
  • Articles
    ArticlesShow More
    A miraculous story of a Hujjaj from Libya
    May 27, 2025
    Nation First, Politics Later: PM Hamza Appeals to Youth Amid Growing Political Tensions
    May 24, 2025
    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to be present at the signing ceremony in Hong Kong on May 30.
    China Leads Historic Effort to Establish International Mediation Body
    May 24, 2025
    From Yunnan to Somalia: A Path Out of Poverty
    May 13, 2025
    Doha Hosts the 26th Session of the Council Conference of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy
    May 4, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Somalia Unveils the Blueprint for a Modern and Sustainable Mogadishu
    December 21, 2024
    Djibouti Launches $57.4 Million Youth Entrepreneurship Project to Combat Climate Change
    November 25, 2024
    FM meets Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia
    October 28, 2024
    President Hassan Sheikh Inaugurates New LPG Storage Center in Mogadishu
    May 12, 2024
    Collaboration of ICT transformation for digital Infrastructure
    October 24, 2023
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Mogadishu Stadium to Host Star-Studded Match Featuring Somali Legends and International Football Icons
    May 27, 2025
    Arsenal held at Brighton while Man City bounce-back continues
    January 5, 2025
    Galmudug wins the Inter-State Football Tournament
    January 29, 2024
    Somalia set for two int’l friendlies ahead of WC qualifier clashes against Algeria and Uganda
    October 10, 2023
    Chicago woman, 104, skydives from plane, aiming for record as the world’s oldest skydiver
    October 3, 2023
  • Tenders
    TendersShow More
    Quay Renovation Works – Supply and Installation of Fenders and Bollards
    April 11, 2025
Reading: From Zion to Zeila, Ethiopia’s Zionist Playbook
Share
Font ResizerAa
Somali National News AgencySomali National News Agency
  • SOMALI
  • ARABIC
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
Follow US
©2023 || All rights reserved SONNA
Somali National News Agency > Blog > Articles > From Zion to Zeila, Ethiopia’s Zionist Playbook
Articles

From Zion to Zeila, Ethiopia’s Zionist Playbook

By Osman
Last updated: September 7, 2024
8 Min Read
Share

Ethiopia’s approach to Somalia in recent years bears a striking resemblance to strategies employed by colonial powers and settler movements throughout history. Particularly, one can draw parallels to the tactics attributed to Jewish settlers in Palestine during the early 20th century and the subsequent establishment of Israel. This comparison, while not exact, offers an intriguing lens through which to view Ethiopia’s engagement with its eastern neighbor.

The concept of “divide and conquer” is as old as statecraft itself, but its application in the context of modern nation-states has taken on nuanced forms. In Palestine, during the British Mandate period (1920-1948) and afterward, Jewish settlers and Zionist organizations were often accused of exploiting existing divisions within Palestinian people to advance their goals. This strategy involved leveraging economic disparities, political rivalries, and social cleavages to weaken unified opposition to Jewish immigration and state-building efforts.

Ethiopia’s engagement with Somalia in the 21st century echoes some of these tactics, albeit in a different historical and cultural context. Just as the Zionist movement sought to establish a foothold in a complex, multi-ethnic landscape, Ethiopia finds itself navigating the intricate clan politics and regional divisions of Somalia. The parallels are not in the objectives – Ethiopia isn’t seeking to establish a new state – but in the methods of maintaining influence and ensuring recovering Somalia remains unstable.

One key aspect of the strategy attributed to early Zionist settlers was the exploitation of economic disparities. In Palestine, this often involved land purchases that displaced Palestinian peasants, creating tensions between them and the Arab landowners who sold the property. In Somalia, Ethiopia has engaged in political strategies that, while not identical, serve a similar function of creating or exacerbating divisions. By fostering political ties with semi-autonomous regions like Somaliland, South West and Puntland, Ethiopia effectively bypasses the central government in Mogadishu, creating competing centers of political interest within Somalia.

Political fragmentation was another tool in the arsenal of early Zionist strategy, and here the parallel with Ethiopia’s approach is particularly striking. In Palestine, Zionist leaders were accused of exacerbating rivalries between prominent Palestinian families and factions, making it difficult for a unified Palestinian leadership to emerge. Ethiopia’s support for federalism in Somalia and its engagement with various regional administrations follows a similar logic. By maintaining relationships with multiple political actors – from the federal government to regional states and clan leaders – Ethiopia ensures that no single entity within Somalia becomes powerful enough to challenge its interests.

The use of security concerns to justify intervention is another point of comparison. Just as early Zionist settlers formed defense organizations like Haganah, ostensibly to protect Jewish communities but also to assert control over territory, Ethiopia has used the threat of extremist groups like Al-Shabaab to justify military interventions in Somalia. While the security concerns are real, these interventions have also served to shape Somalia’s internal dynamics in ways that align with Ethiopian interests.

Moreover, the strategy of creating “facts on the ground” – a term often associated with Israeli settlement policy in the West Bank finds an echo in Ethiopia’s approach to border regions. By cultivating close ties with regional administrations in areas like Somaliland, Puntland and South West State, Ethiopia effectively creates a buffer zone that serves its security interests while complicating efforts to establish strong, centralized control from Mogadishu.

It’s crucial to note, however, that while these parallels exist, the contexts are vastly different. Ethiopia is not a settler-colonial power in Somalia; it’s a neighboring state. The comparison is not meant to equate the two situations morally, but rather to highlight how similar strategies of influence and control can manifest in different historical contexts.

Furthermore, Ethiopia’s approach, like that of the early Zionist movement, is not monolithic or unchanging. Just as Zionist strategies evolved over time in response to changing circumstances, Ethiopia’s engagement with Somalia has shifted with regional dynamics, internal politics, and international pressures.

The story of Ethiopia and Somalia, like that of Israel and Palestine, is one of complex historical legacies, competing nationalisms, and the challenges of building stability in a volatile region. Ethiopia’s strategy, while reminiscent of historical “divide and conquer” tactics, is also a product of its unique geopolitical position and the realities of the Horn of Africa.

As we consider these parallels, it’s important to recognize that they offer insights into the enduring challenges of state-building, regional influence, and conflict resolution. Ethiopia’s engagement with Somalia, like the earlier Zionist movement in Palestine, raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, security, and the balance of power in regions marked by historical conflicts and competing interests.

Looking forward, the key question is whether these strategies will lead to long-term stability or perpetuate cycles of fragmentation and conflict. Just as the tactics employed in Palestine have led to ongoing tensions and unresolved issues. Ethiopia’s approach to Somalia has become increasingly problematic, particularly in light of recent actions that directly challenge Somali sovereignty. The signing of a MoU with a Northern region of Somalia, represents a clear violation of international norms and Somalia’s territorial integrity.

This move has justifiably raised alarms both within Somalia and across the international community. It’s crucial to emphasize that Ethiopia’s aspirations, whether for access to territorial waters or any form of annexation, are fundamentally misguided and untenable. Somalia’s territorial waters and land are inviolable, and the international community must stand firm in affirming that Ethiopia will not gain “an inch” of Somali territory through such tactics.

In Conclusion: While Ethiopia may not be consciously emulating historical colonial or settler strategies, its approach to Somalia bears striking similarities to tactics employed in other complex geopolitical situations. This comparison offers a valuable perspective on the enduring challenges of regional politics and the ways in which nations seek to secure their interests in volatile neighborhoods. As Ethiopia continues to navigate its relationship with Somalia, understanding these historical parallels may offer insights into both the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities for more constructive engagement in the future.

 

By : Ismail D. Osman

Ismail D. Osman: Former Deputy Director of Somalia National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) – Writes in Somalia, Horn of Africa Security and Geopolitical focusing on governance and security. You can reach him osmando[at]gmail.com @osmando
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

MORE NEWS

Official Reopening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Archives

CultureEducationLocal News
November 23, 2024

Kenya’s small farmers find respite in avocados amid changing climate

NAIROBI(SONNA) As crop diseases and pests rise in Kenya amid a rapidly changing climate that…

March 11, 2023

Somali Ambassador to Yemen presents a copy his credentials to Deputy Foreign Minister

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Yemen, Mr. Abdihakin…

May 31, 2025

Nimcaan Hilaac appointed to lead Waberi National Band

Mogadishu (SONNA)-Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed…

March 3, 2020

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Somali National Forces Deal a Severe Blow to Extremist Group’s Leadership in Daring operation

On June 16th, Somali National Forces, supported by their international partners, achieved a significant victory in their ongoing fight against…

Articles
June 19, 2023

Building Stronger Ties: The Importance of Diplomatic Relations between Somalia and China

As the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the People's Republic of China, I have had the privilege…

Articles
January 29, 2023

China ready to share its development experience with Somalia, encourages its enterprises to invest Somalia

Not long ago, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party (CPC) of China was…

ArticlesNews
December 28, 2020

Celebrating Independence: Somalia’s Journey Toward Hope and Unity

By Abdiqani Abdullahi Mogadishu, Somalia – As the clock strikes midnight tonight, Somalia will come alive with vibrant celebrations, marking…

ArticlesLocal NewsPolitics
June 25, 2024

Somali National News Agency established in 1964. It is one of the main pillars of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
  • SNTV
  • RADIO MOGADISHU
  • DALKA JOURNAL
  • TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Follow US: 

  • MoICT
  • VILLA SOMALIA
  • OPM SOMALIA

All rights reserved SONNA

©2023

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?