Ogaden Online: The official homepage of Ogaden on the Internet

This meeting was held two weeks ago, around Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Also present were his security advisor Tsegaye Berhe, the army Chief of Staff, General Samora Yunis, the head of the intelligence services, Getachew Assefa and some high-ranking military officials. Its purpose was to evaluate the risk of mass protests in Ethiopia similar to those that occurred recently in Tunisia and since then in Egypt. The conditions for a rapid and decisive response to this type of situation were examined.

But another point of importance was also on the agenda: the risk of attacks during the AU conference. This case did not finally occur, but Meles Zenawi and his entourage are still worried about the possibility of a destabilising operation carried out by Somalians or Ethiopian opponents. Particularly as countries rivalling Ethiopia, like Egypt or Libya, could well manipulate such elements in order to apply pressure on Addis Ababa.