Ethiopia warns against invasion amid regional tension

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister has warned that anyone planning on invading his country should “think 10 times” before doing so because according to him, any attack would be repelled.

Abiy Ahmed did not direct his comments at any particular nation, but they come at a time of rising tensions with neighbouring Somalia and Egypt.

Somalia has described a maritime pact that Abiy’s government signed with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in January as an act of “aggression”, and has responded by forging closer military ties with Egypt.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but Mogadishu regards it as part of its territory.

Egypt has been involved in a long-running dispute of its own with Ethiopia over Addis Ababa’s decision to build a large dam on a tributary of the River Nile.

It is reportedly planning to send troops to Somalia following the signing of a military pact between the two governments last month.

In a televised address marking Ethiopia’s Sovereignty Day, Abiy said the East African nation had no intention of creating conflict.

However, he said that “those who are afar and nearby” should know that “we usually embarrass and repel those who dare try to invade us”.

“Anyone intending to invade Ethiopia should think not just once but 10 times because one great thing we Ethiopians know is how to defend ourselves,” Abiy added.

Somalia has been angered by landlocked Ethiopia’s decision to reach a deal with Somaliland to give it access to a port.