Report to the House of Peoples Representatives on operations in Somalia

by

His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

Tuesday 2nd January 2007

Honourable Speaker,

Honourable Members of the House of Peoples Representatives,

It is to be recalled that this honourable House thoroughly considered the threat posed to our country by the leadership of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in Somalia and passed a rightful and historic resolution asking the Government to exhaust all avenues for resolving the problem through peaceful means, while taking the necessary legal measures to protect the country from any attack. I hereby present the following report on the measures taken by the Government during the last few weeks to implement the resolution of the House.

Following the resolution and in accordance with the plan to exhaust all avenues for a peaceful resolution of the problem, negotiations to resolve the situation peacefully were held with the extremists, initially in Djibouti and later in Dubai, despite the escalation of attacks by the extremists entrenched in Mogadishu. However, the negotiations failed due to the conviction of the extremist leadership that they had the capacity to forcefully execute their objectives and their determination to fulfill their objective during the week of Id Al Adaha when Muslims all around the world would be celebrating.

The extremist leadership intensified this situation, completing its preparations to launch an all out war against the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the Puntland Administration. Furthermore, it reached a stage where it could assemble anti-peace forces around our border, in its relentless effort to facilitate the infiltration of these forces into Ethiopia, in addition to other destructive forces that it has infiltrating into the country since last winter. Finally, this concerted campaign was initiated in a two-front campaign against the Transitional Government.

Since these acts objectively demonstrated that the extremist leadership had no desire whatsoever to resolve the problems peacefully, and after exhausting all avenues for peace, the Government, in accordance with the resolution of the House, prepared a plan for a counter-offensive to protect the country from attack which has been implemented in coordination with the Transitional Federal Government and other forces in Somalia. While planning and executing this counter-offensive, the Government identified as enemies only the extremist leadership of the UIC, extremist terrorists assembled from different countries and those soldiers of the Eritrean Government who have been cooperating and assisting with the coordination of these groups.

Therefore, the campaign was conducted in a manner that made it possible to lessen potential harm to the civilian population, as well as disperse the majority of the clan militia assembled around the UIC leadership and to pursue and destroy the main enemies.

In addition to these precautionary measures, combat on all fronts was conducted outside the cities and densely populated areas, which ensured that the civilian population did not suffer significant harm. The fact that there was little significant harm to civilian life and property during this campaign is a matter that should be given special consideration at a time when civilians are the main victims of wars. In all joint activities, our defence forces and the Transitional Federal Government Forces have been warmly received by the people. In all regions, it has been possible to talk to, encourage and convince elders and clan leaders to stabilise their areas, to disarm dispersed clan militias and return them back to peaceful life. Even though the enemy leaders were able to mobilise the clan militias within the first two days of the conflict, these militia began to disperse, as soon as it became clear that the extremists were being defeated.  Our defence force and its allies, as well as encouraging these militia to disperse and return to their respective clans, have been successful in disarming the clan elders and getting them to surrender their weapons to the Transitional Federal Government and to peaceful life.

Since it was possible to swiftly isolate the main enemy targets from the clan militia and the people of Somalia, the possibility to pursue, attack and control them has been created.  With in a few days this isolated and severely degraded force was forced to flee or retreat to one corner of Somalia. The people of Somalia have not only warmly welcomed our defence force and its allies but they also organised themselves to attack the fleeing enemy force in areas where our defence force was not present. In this respect, the actions of the people of Adado in central Somalia and of those in the rural areas and in smaller towns south of Jowhar in south Somalia should be seen as exemplary and make these people proud.

While the severely depleted collection of extremists and other forces sought to assemble in Mogadishu, our defence force and its allies continued to pursue them. During this process, the people of Mogadishu defended themselves admirably from the forces of destruction.  Even before the extremists fled Mogadishu, its people had started watching television and had begun to chew chat in public in defiance of the Taliban laws proclaimed by the extremists.

Furthermore, elders of Mogadishu city and clan leaders met and agreed to make arrangements to rid their city of extremists and receive the Transitional Federal Government. In order to implement this, the people of Mogadishu established a 15-member committee and in north Mogadishu the people proceeded to decorate their areas with photographs of the President and the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government. When the forces fleeing to Mogadishu realised that they could not hide from the defence force chasing them and that the people of the city would revolt against them, they publicly dismantled the UIC and fled without firing a single bullet.

When our defence force and its allies reached the outskirts of the city, numerous inhabitants of the city pleaded with them to enter the city and stabilise it. Similarly the committee of city elders exchanged views on the issue with the authorities of the Transitional Federal Government and our army officers. The elders while announcing that they would take the responsibility of stabilising the city, requested our forces to enter the city and settle in selected localities with the view to assisting the stabilisation effort. The elders made this request not only to the authorities of the TFG but also publicly, through the city's media outlets. After holding consultations and negotiations in this regard for a day and half, our army and its allies at the request of the people entered Mogadishu and settled at the place designated for them by the elders. The majority of the city dwellers, following the advice and opinions of the elders, received our army with joy while a few youngsters expressed their opposition through peaceful means.  Since then, the city has been stable and our army has been receiving a positive reception and support from the people.

After Mogadishu liberated itself and our army entered the city peacefully it continued its activity to pursue the terrorist forces which fled from Mogadishu and other localities. In recognition of the eve of the Id Al Adha holiday the TFG publicly declared a 24 hour unilateral cessation of hostilities so that the people of Somalia could celebrate the holiday joyfully. The President of the TFG, together with representatives of Mogadishu celebrated the Id Al Adha holiday at the historic Somalia Mosque in Afgoye town, and consulted extensively with the elders on how Somalis could overcome their own problems through consultations. 

Although the extremists used the time provided for the celebration of the Id Al Adha holiday to reorganise themselves, this did not spare them from defeat.  Our defence forces and their allies, continuing their campaign the day after the public holiday, attacked and dispersed the forces assembled at Jilib town. After this defeat the terrorist forces came to realise that the people of Kismayo would also liberate themselves like the people of Mogadishu, so they fled and deserted the city. The people surrounding the city of Kismayo made commendable efforts to protect it from looters. Our army was able to reach the city and provide timely support. The counter-offensive measure, which we launched against the destructive forces in this manner, is being concluded successfully.

Honourable Speaker,

Honourable Members of the House of Peoples Representatives,

Beyond the above stated military and political activities, our Government has made extensive efforts to explain to the international community the challenges we faced in Somalia.  Since the timing of the conflict coincided with Western Christmas and New Year holidays as well as the Muslim Id Al Adha holiday, these impacted on the efforts of our diplomatic activities. In this regard special emphasis was given to clarifying to and seeking support for Ethiopia’s position in the Arab world. Two separate delegations were dispatched to the Gulf States and a wide variety of activities were also carried out by all our Embassies.

The African Union took a clear and principled position on the issue.  It unequivocally and publicly declared that Ethiopia has the right to take legal measures to defend herself from the extremist leadership of the UIC. Based on this stance, it requested that the Ethiopian army leave Somalia promptly, a position in line with that of the Ethiopian Government.

Although the stance taken by one member of the United Nations Security Council during its deliberations on the issue could have undermined the self-defensive actions of Ethiopia, the motion was defeated with opposition from the other 14 members of the Council.  Therefore, the United Nations Security Council did not question our right to take action in self-defence. Similarly various Governments across the world have supported our right to self-defence and have refrained from questioning our inherent right to self-defence.

It can be said that the only party that took a different position on the issue was the Government of Eritrea. Although they did not come out publicly in support of the position of the Eritrean Government, we assume that there are parties which encouraged them discreetly. Overall, one can say that the international community, the African Union and other major countries accepted our right to self-defence and the measures we took.

Honourable Speaker

Honourable Members of the House of Peoples Representatives,

We had a number of defensive goals when we were forced to enter into the war. We have now routed and broken the backbone of the force working to destabilise our country and the whole of the Horn of Africa. We have removed the thorn in our side before it caused irreversible damage. Having taken measures proportionate to the attacks on us, we have successfully managed to achieve the goal of defending ourselves.

Though our major aim was protecting ourselves from attacks, within the framework of the operations undertaken to achieve this goal we also sought to support the efforts of the people of Somalia to disengage itself from the Taliban style rule of extremists and to realise sustainable peace. The people of Somalia have requested and implored us in all localities we have been to, to support them in bolstering their efforts, expressing strong desire for peace and their fear of sliding back to the chaos caused by the warlords. Routing the force of the extremists which imposed itself on the people of Somalia was a decisive contribution we could made to help realise the wishes and hopes of the people for peace and stability. We have created the best of opportunities for peace in Somalia. Furthermore, without compromising our aim to withdraw following the completion of measures taken in self defence, we are making major contributions to the stabilisation of Mogadishu and other areas. It could be said that we have satisfactorily accomplished our drive to support peace efforts of the Somali people and the Somali forces of peace.

Aware that the responsibility and duty to protect our country from any attack is solely ours and ours alone, we neither expected nor requested any assistance from any foreign government during our defensive operations. We, however, have made unstinted efforts to persuade the international community to accept our right to self-defence and support where possible the measures we have taken to protect ourselves. In this regard too, it could be said, we have accomplished in great measure the goals we have set to achieve in our diplomatic endeavours.

We were successful in achieving our goals because our defence forces, with the backing of the people, have fought displaying outstanding military capability in a spirit of brotherhood with our Somali allies, with tremendous political prudence and popular sentiment. On behalf of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and on my own behalf, I would like to express my highest regard and appreciation to members of our defence forces who took part in the campaign and for those sacrifices made in the line of duty. I believe it is appropriate for the honourable House to take a similar stance and declare the same. We have achieved all our goals because the Transitional Government of Somalia and the young and brave TFG army as well as all Somalis and peace-loving forces of Somalia have fought on our side, determined to free themselves from the Taliban-like force, and welcoming us in a spirit of brotherhood. Therefore, on behalf of the FDRE and on my own behalf, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the TFG, the TFG army, the peace loving forces of Somalia and the people of Somalia. I believe it is appropriate for the honourable House to take a similar stance and declare the same.

It is a great honour to the Ethiopian government and people that the international community has stood on our side in recognising our right to self-defence with a universal appreciation of our challenge. In this regard, particularly the position the AU and all our African brothers have taken, have made us, feel proud in being African. On behalf of the Ethiopian government and people, I would like to extend to them my brotherly gratitude and appreciation. Similarly, on behalf of the FDRE and on my own behalf, I would like to thank our friends in other parts of the world for the friendly gesture they have shown us during these trying moments.

I request the honourable House to do the same.

Honourable Speaker,

Honourable Members of the House of Peoples Representatives,

The measures we have taken have not only enabled us to attain all objectives in a satisfactory manner but have also unequivocally disproved the misguided perceptions and forecasts that have been propagated by various quarters and pundits over the last months as the crisis was heightening.

The widespread belief, held especially by the Eritrean Government and its supporters, that the rapid strengthening of the UIC extremist leadership would put Ethiopia in an inextricable and untenable situation, has been completely shattered. These forces were disseminating, under the guise of expert analysis, their hopes that if Ethiopia did not take any action to destroy the extremist leadership, the extremist forces would take control of the whole of Somalia and that they would remain an indelible thorn in the side of Ethiopia, creating mayhem in the country, and if Ethiopia took actions against the extremist leadership it would be definitively embroiled in a quagmire. The measures taken have shown that Ethiopia, acting together with the people of Somalia, has the capacity to sustainably remove this thorn without being bogged down in a quagmire. It has also sent an unequivocal message that it would take such counteractive actions in the future if similar problems occur.

A so-called renowned pundits on Somalia had presented an analysis that Ethiopia and Somalia are blood enemies at all levels, that they have repeatedly fought each other and that if Ethiopia sends its troops into Somalia, the entire Somali people would declare it as the invader and would violently oppose it. Such pundits have made two fundamental errors.

The first is to erroneously present the previous wars fought between the Ethiopian and Somali Governments as if they took place between the peoples of Ethiopia and Somalia. Secondly, they have not realised that, contrary to the previous Ethiopian regimes that wanted to impose their rule on the Somali people of Ethiopia, currently the Somali people of Ethiopia like all other peoples of the country have had their right to self-determination recognised and so have no grievances in this regard. They have not understood that Ethiopian Somalis were ready to fight at the forefront along side the other peoples of Ethiopia against the extremists in Somalia who sought to impose their will on them. Therefore, they are not able to comprehend that our defence forces entered Mogadishu at the request and with permission of its residents, without a single shot being fired. The measures taken have irrefutably demonstrated that there is no animosity between the peoples of Ethiopia and Somalia. It has concretely established that the peoples of Ethiopia and Somalia are not only neighbours, but also brotherly peoples with historic bonds of language and culture.   

Too many observers and pundits had concluded that as the UIC had taken control of a large portion of the territory of Somalia in a very short period of time, it could not be stopped by anyone and that it had the support of the Somali people. No observer or pundit grasped that, even though the Somali people were tired of the lack of peace for more than a decade, tired of the exactions being perpetrated by the warring factions and prepared to give any force that would free it from this danger a chance, the small number of extremists that controlled the UIC were not representative of the various clans and segments of the Somali population in the way that the Transitional Government is, and that the Union was actually isolated from the people of Somalia.

Therefore, they could not believe their eyes when the Union faced tremendous opposition, even from within its own leadership, and that it was splitting apart faster than it took to take control of the large portion of Somali territory. The Somali people have concretely displayed in an astounding manner their strong desire for peace and their refusal to support Taliban style extremists.

Analysts of the Horn of Africa have attempted to portray the situation as an unending religious war between Christian Ethiopia and Muslim Somalia. In doing so they have opted to disseminate the analysis of the extremists in Somalia. In reality the alignment of forces was completely different.

On one side there are the defence forces of Ethiopia, a country of Christians and Muslims and the Transitional Government representing the fundamentally Muslim people of Somalia and its forces as well as the entire peace loving Somali people. Even though the extremist forces posed a serious threat, they recognised and chose to celebrate Eid Al Adha peacefully and colourfully. 

On the other side, there were a small number of Somali Talibans, terrorists and mujaheedins that have converged from various countries, and destructive forces of the Eritrean Government which administers a country composed both of Muslims and Christians. These forces not only purposefully carried out the war during the sacred Eid Al Adha but also tried to utilise to their own advantage the decision taken not to wage a war during this sacred period. This war is not between Christians and Muslims. The war is between the allied Ethiopian and Somalia Governments at the forefront of peace and religious tolerance, against the forces of destruction of mayhem, guided by the Eritrean Government. The forces of peace and religious tolerance have triumphed.

The war has broken the back of the forces seeking to wage religious war. It was a war of the opposing forces of development and destruction, of peace and havoc, religious tolerance and extremism.

There were predictions by many analysts that the war waged between the Transitional Government and Ethiopia against the extremists supported by the Eritrean Government would draw the entire Horn of Africa into a regional war and that Ethiopia and Eritrea would enter into direct military confrontation. The successful military campaign we have undertaken has exposed the falsehood of this analysis.

It is evident that the Eritrean Government is prepared to fight Ethiopia until the last drop of blood of the people of Somalia. The Eritrean Government elaborated this strategy in order to advance its objective through the blood of the Somalis. It believed that by strengthening the extremists in Somalia, Ethiopia would be put in an inextricable situation and that it would not have the capacity and willingness to wage direct military confrontation.

Even though it is apparent that the Eritrean Government would have waged war if Ethiopia was bogged down in a quagmire in Somalia, many did not grasp that the Eritrean Government would not have the capacity and preparation to take any direct action. The people of Somalia have shown that they are not willing to fight to their last drop of blood to advance the objective of the Eritrean Government. To the contrary, the people of Somalia want to cooperate with the peaceful forces of Ethiopia in order to establish peace in Somalia. The predicted quagmire for Ethiopian defence forces did not take place. When the interventionist Eritrean forces had to flee from Somalia r, the Eritrean Government did not directly dare lift a finger.

The feared regional war disappeared into thin air just like all the other erroneous analysis.

Many have argued that fighting the extremists in Somalia and their supporters would further radicalise the extremists and that the preferred option would have been to negotiate and subdue them. Even when all peaceful avenues had been exhausted and the extremists made it abundantly and repeatedly clear that they had no desire for peace, some quarters continued to advance this argument in a manner difficult to distinguish a longing for peace from a defeatist approach. They did not properly understand and accept the Government’s position that there is a need to exhaust all peace avenues but that if the latter did not yield fruitful results, then fighting the extremists can only bring about their weakening and not their strengthening.

The successful operation we have carried out has shown that if it is possible to strike at the extremists without affecting the Somali people, and moreover if it is possible to fight against the extremists in collaboration with the forces of peace and the people of Somalia, the backbone of the extremists can be broken in a short period of time. The longing for peace is always a correct and respected idea. However bowing to extremists in this pursuit is not necessary and appropriate.

Honourable Speaker,

Honourable Members of the House of Peoples Representatives,

Even though we have achieved our main objectives, it does not mean that our work is finished. The people of Somalia have the best opportunity for peace, but sustainable peace has not yet been achieved. The backbone of the destructive forces has been broken and their remnants have been disbanded, but this does not mean that they will not try to revive and engage in suicidal terrorist activities. Therefore, the people and government of Somalia as well as all the peace forces of the region have to expect more challenges and hard work.

As far as Ethiopia is concerned, we have achieved our main objective and our next focus will be the return of our forces and strengthening our on-going struggle against poverty. This means we will not stop mopping up the remnants of the extremist forces wherever they are found, nor will we abandon the stabilising work by the people and Government of Somalia and return home.

Upon the completion of this final phase of our mission, it is our irrevocable position that we will withdraw our forces as soon as possible. Aside from creating a conducive condition for peace, we cannot and should not transform ourselves into a peace keeping force. We believe that the international community should understand our position and urgently deploy a peace keeping force in accordance with the decisions of the African Union and the United Nations Security Council which should make every effort to avoid a vacuum when our forces withdraw. Furthermore, the International Community should urgently provide humanitarian assistance commensurate with the need of the people of Somalia.

The TFG and the people of Somalia have a decisive role to play in ensuring sustainable peace in Somalia. No other force can replace their role in ensuring peace. Therefore, the Government of Ethiopia supports the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in its programme to stop the resurgence of the warlords, conduct an inclusive dialogue and reconciliation amongst the Somali people on the basis of the Transitional Federal Charter, accommodate those sectors of society that did not have sufficient representation in the Government and generally support the government's efforts and work to enable the Somalis to handle their own affairs without any external interference. It is only when the Somalis are able to discuss and negotiate without any external interference that durable peace can be ensured in Somalia, and therefore, we call upon the international community to support their initiative.

On our part, we will always be alert and keep a close watch on the forces of destruction so that they shall not be able to launch terrorist activities from Somalia or any where else, and will not allow them to distract us from our struggle for development. While being vigilant against any danger posed by the forces of destruction being coordinated by the Government of Eritrea, we will continue our search for peace through dialogue and peaceful means and focus our collective energy on our main objective of achieving development.

I thank you.