PM Meles is a political genius

[OAF]

declare independence from ethiopia.
eritrea left....why did the ogadeni somalis hesitate? were they waiting for somalia to stabilise?

That's a good question, there was as much weapons as it were in Eritrea to fight the ethiopians...

[original dervish]

how was it possible that after almost a century resisting ethiopian colonisation, when the time came, the moment people had prayed for generations, the somalis froze.
i`ve asked this same questions to many ogadeni somalis, and nobody has been able to offer a satisfactory explanation.

[The_Patriot]

declare independence from ethiopia.
eritrea left....why did the ogadeni somalis hesitate? were they waiting for somalia to stabilise?

That's a good question, there was as much weapons as it were in Eritrea to fight the ethiopians...

Simple answer is EPLF was independent rebel group and thus had all leadership and military intact.

As for the Ogaden the WSLF was dismantled and incoporated into the SNA after the infamous agreement in Djibouti.Lastly Ogaden refugees were fleeing Somalia during the start of the somalia civil war and could not exploit the opportunity of the collapsinmg Mengistu govt as they were comming to terms with displacement and resettlement.

[original dervish]

why didnt they ally with eritrea, to make sure ethiopia was broken up once and for all.
also, has the political naivety of the ogaden somalis matured?
can the same thing happen in the future?

[The_Patriot]

why didnt they ally with eritrea, to make sure ethiopia was broken up once and for all.
also, has the political naivety of the ogaden somalis matured?
can the same thing happen in the future?

Dude how can you rely with Eritrea when we dont share any border with it?
Eritrea EPLF was not dismantled it had received substantial military and financial and trainning from Somalia.
While WSLF was incoporated into the SNA(Somali national Army) after MSB and Mengistu agreed on cessation of aggression.

The few remaining WSLF who were unhappy with the decision were rounded up and had to flee and form the ONLF which then was more of a political advocacy. Its very hard to launch a guarille warfare especialy if the Somali govt was not willing to allow or support the group. Because the Ogadenis landlocked as compared to Eritrea which had the Red Sea.

When the meeting in London happened on post Mengistu power sharing deal some ONLF members did try to attend the meeting but were refused entry as they did not have any armed group present.

Alos you have to understand is EPLF was also the culprit responsible for assisting TPLF gain more grounds in the Ogaden as TPLF was short of manpower which Afaworki was willing to provide and Afaworki was against the Ogaden breaking away.Afaworki was the culprit responsible for fighting OLF and ensuring that TPLF took over Ethiopia. Its only after EPLF and TPLF fell apart that Afaworki decided to arm rebel groups in Ethiopia but prior this they were directly involved. It is rumoured that EPLF lost 10,000 men in the Ogaden when Al Itixad was fighting in the region.

[OAF]

You got your answer there bro

[original dervish]

yes, it was a clear explanation....thanks