June 25, 2007: Two Somali clans in Ethiopia's
Ogaden desert region have been engaged in a shooting war for the better part of
a week. At least five people have been
killed.
June 21, 2007: The European Union's parliament hit
Ethiopia with a tough resolution addressing Ethiopian human rights abuses.
Chief on the EU agenda was the detention of 38 political opposition leaders by
the Ethiopian government. The 38 leaders were recently convicted of treason by
an Ethiopian court and some of the convicted may face death sentences. The EU
described the opposition leaders as political prisoners. The EU resolution also
targeted Cuba and Burma for human rights violations and lack of political
freedom.
June 16, 2007:
Ethiopia told the UN that it was ready to return the disputed town of
Badme to Eritrea without "preconditions." Eritrea responded by saying that
Ethiopia had actually set "preconditions" by demanding that Eritrea have a
"dialog" with Ethiopia and live up to a ceasefire agreement. Ethiopia said that
its letter had been misinterpreted. Just another round of accusation and
counter-accusation? Probably, but diplomats in the region note that the bad
relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea could lead to another war with Badme the
center of it. During the Ethiopia-Eritrea War is was the scene of many
ferocious battles.
