MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopia’s army held a parade in Baidoa, a city in Somalia’s Southwest State, to commemorate Adwa Victory Day—a celebration of Ethiopia’s historic defeat of Italian colonialism.
The occasion, attended by Southwest State President Abdiaziz Laftagaren, has ignited widespread anger amongst Somalis, who view it as a betrayal of their nationwide id and historical past.
Laftagaren praised Ethiopia for deploying hundreds of troops to the area to fight Al-Shabaab militants. Nonetheless, his remarks and the high-profile celebration of Ethiopia’s victory on Somali soil have triggered a fierce backlash on social media.
Many Somalis accuse their leaders of aligning with a historic adversary, undermining nationwide sovereignty, and eroding Somali tradition for private political acquire.
The connection between Somalia and Ethiopia has lengthy been fraught with rigidity, marked by centuries of battle and mutual mistrust. Somalis have traditionally considered Ethiopia as an imperialist energy with ambitions to annex their territory.
The presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia, coupled with the general public celebration of Adwa Victory Day, has deepened these grievances, with critics arguing that it symbolizes a harmful shift within the nation’s historic and cultural trajectory.
Laftagaren’s rise to energy in Southwest State was backed by Ethiopian army help, a reality he has overtly acknowledged. He beforehand revealed that Ethiopian intelligence officers had been stationed at his doorstep throughout heightened tensions between the 2 international locations, following federal authorities allegations that he was colluding with Ethiopia’s spy company.
The occasion has reignited debates about Somalia’s management and its relationship with Ethiopia, with many Somalis calling for a reevaluation of the nation’s alliances and a renewed dedication to preserving its independence and cultural heritage.
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