Located in the southern region of Ethiopia, the city of Awasa, a large city in the Somali region, as an important transportation hub for the south of the Ethiopian capital, this city has been developing rapidly in recent years under the influence of the capital economic circle, and as the source of two important rivers running through Somalia - Shabelle River and Ganale River, it has always been an important inheritance of Ethiopian civilization.

Next to the city, stands Mount Kaka, Ethiopia's second highest peak, at 4,193 meters above sea level, just over 400 meters shorter than Ethiopia's highest peak, Dashan.

And from here to the middle of Africa, it is also on the satellite map, you can see a whole green picture, the rainy season every year feeds the city, from here, to the south, has always been the most important food base in Ethiopia, and many crops in Ethiopia are also planted in a large area from here to the south.

Because of the concentration of agriculture, the city of Awassa has become an important grain warehouse and one of the few grain distribution cities in Ethiopia.

However, the ethnic groups living here are not the two authentic Ethiopian ethnic groups, the Oromo and Amhara, but the more than 7 million Somali people. As the most populous country in Africa, Ethiopia has a total population of more than 90 million. Two major ethnic groups make up 80 per cent of the population, with Somalis and Tigrayi accounting for 8 per cent each, and the remaining 4 per cent are made up of 76 ethnic minorities who also believe in primitive religions.

Among these tribes, the Somalis have long lived in the south-central region of Ethiopia, with a population of nearly eight million. Not much less than Somalis in Somalia.

There is a fundamental difference between the Somalis here and the Somalis in Somalia before, perhaps because of too much pressure from outsiders. The Somali tribes in Ethiopia are very united. and organized a tribal organization called the Somali Self-Help Alliance to lead nearly eight million Somalis in Ethiopia. It is also a matter of life and death for Somalis in Ethiopia. (The above is not a fancy nonsense.) ）

In a slightly dilapidated mosque in the city of Avatha, the original white walls have turned a little yellow, and the wall ash has also fallen off in many parts of the mosque, and the main hall of the mosque has fallen around a large number of bricks and walls, and there are traces of burning everywhere, according to the scale of the collapsed walls, this should have been a very magnificent mosque.

At this moment, the Grand Elder of the Somali Self-Help Alliance, Idris. An old Somali man who has reached the age of 70 is like this mosque, heavy and desolate.

From a young age, he has witnessed the growth of the mosque every day, just as the Somali people in Ethiopia at that time have grown up on their own every day. Now that he is old, just as this mosque is nearing the end of his life, it is also at this moment that the Somali in Ethiopia have reached a very critical moment.

On crutches. Idris sits in the main seat of the mosque, which is the closest place to Allah and represents a special honor. And he is the most deserving of this honor of being close to Allah, because he has given so much for this people.

Below him. Dozens of Ethiopian Somali tribal chiefs sat quietly, each waiting for his instructions.

Generally speaking, when the host country's ethnic policy is correct, social stability, economic prosperity, and the situation of cross-border ethnic groups is constantly improving, the sense of national identity and national belonging of cross-border ethnic groups are basically the same. However, when the government of the host country cannot treat the cross-border ethnic group with an equal and fair attitude, and the national concept conflicts with the national concept, the national concept of the cross-border ethnic group is often stronger than the national concept. If the centripetal force within a transboundary nation increases, the centrifugal force on the host country increases. The result of a serious imbalance between these two forces is the conflict and separation of cross-border peoples from their host countries.

Ethiopia's Somali problem is facing this status quo.

In the nomadic life, different families often fight for water and pasture, and brave and martial arts are an important characteristic of their national character. The Somalis have benefited very little from Ethiopia's expansion. The Somalis simply do not have access to the Ethiopian ruling class. They have been stuck in the barren lands of southern Ethiopia for generations, and Somali farmers are becoming poorer as their population continues to grow. In terms of political status and economic development, ethnic Somali settlements are increasingly marginalized. As a result, Somalis are increasingly dissatisfied with Amhara rule, and Somali nationalists have organized their own rebel groups.

The experience of past historical developments has taught people that any country will oppose the independence of cross-border peoples. This is because allowing cross-border national independence means that the territorial sovereignty of the State is undermined, and the State uses all the means at its disposal to prevent cross-border national independence. Ethiopia, which faces the same problem, is no exception when it comes to dealing with the Somali issue.

From the point of view of thinking logic, if Ethiopia's policy mistakes or the Somali issue are exploited by external forces in the future, the Ethiopian Somali ethnic group may be separated from Ethiopia under the banner of striving for national self-determination and establishing a nation-state, stimulated by external political and religious forces. However, the goals of Somali national separatism will be difficult to achieve without the drastic changes in the international political environment and the support of strong external forces.

Now, however, the situation has changed in a fundamental way, because a powerful military bloc is right next to Ethiopia. And this military bloc is also a country with ethnic Somalis at its core. Of the many times Ethiopia interfered in Somalia's internal affairs, the last two times Ethiopia was defeated.

During the partition of Africa by the Western powers before World War II, ethnic Somali settlements were artificially divided into different countries. But the divided Somalis have always had a common ethnic complex and a dream of building a "Greater Somalia". The Government of Ethiopia has been very worried and nervous about this. The Ogaden War between Ethiopia and Somalia in the twentieth century was ostensibly a territorial war, but the root cause was that the Ethiopian government feared the independence of the Somali community in the country, so it did not hesitate to fight Somalia in order to combat its support for Ethiopian Somali nationalists, and the Somali ethnic group also had a strong influence on the Oromo ethnic group in southern Ethiopia.

The Oromo Muslims have a close relationship with the Somali Muslims historically. Hussein is from an Arab tribe in Somalia. A Somali named Mohammed has been instrumental in the Islamic revival of the Oromo Annaji region. This, combined with the fact that Islam is synonymous with Somalia in Oromo, and the fact that Somalis have been intermarrying with neighboring Oromo since the 19th century, has led to a growing sense of identity between the Oromo people in the Bell region and Somalia and alienated from other Ethiopians. Ethiopia is highly vigilant about Somali influence and infiltration in the Oromo region, which is not difficult to explain why Ethiopia has repeatedly taken the initiative to send troops to Somalia, one of the purposes of which is to cut off the ties between Somalia and the Oromo people.

And now. A huge separatist crisis is beginning to brew in Ethiopia, and this crisis is not deliberately played by Li Lan's people. Rather, it is a consequence of the national mood in Ethiopia that began to erupt after the defeat in this war.

Two successive military missions to Somalia ended up with heavy losses on the Ethiopian side. National sentiments can easily be channeled into the Somali population within the country, and there are huge differences between religions themselves. The conflict between Islam and Christianity has led to many undesirable consequences for this sentiment.

All Somali seats in the Ethiopian parliament were revoked overnight, and in southern Ethiopia, most Somali mosques were attacked by force, and many began to systematically destroy Somali property, cause trouble in mosques, or beat Somalis in groups in the streets.

In just one and a half months, more than 500 ethnic Somalis have died in this chaos, despite the fact that the Ethiopian Federation has deployed a large police presence to maintain law and order. But some police officers have joined in the destruction. For this reason, many policemen, civil servants, and military personnel serving in the Ethiopian government have been laid off in order to prevent Somalis from taking the opportunity to retaliate.

However, this kind of move has brought even more irreversible results.

Today, the largest mosque in the city of Awassa has been almost destroyed, and if it weren't for the large Somali population, the mosque would not have found a single brick.

Today. Seventy-year-old Idris, who could no longer remain silent, convened the Self-Help Alliance gathering, which was a life-and-death event for nearly eight million Somalis.

"Let's talk about it! What do we do next? After more than 100 years, will we continue to endure the oppression of other races? Idris smacked his cane. Said slowly.

"Great Elder, this kind of day is not a big day, we should leave this ghost place. Let's go back to Somalia! A sea change is taking place there. As soon as the meeting began, someone spoke up.

"Yes. Great Elder, let's go back to Somalia! ”

"Get out of this hellish place. Don't continue to endure this endless oppression here. ”

"I am in favor of going back, to a land where there are only some peoples."

"I agree with that."

"Agreed."

……

This person's words were instantly echoed by the vast majority of people, and it is clear that living in Ethiopia is really not a pleasant thing for them.

However, some people soon stood up against it, "Why did we leave like this, we have thousands of people living in this land, and their Amhara people are not inherited in this land, and this map, which has always been a hot land for our survival, was only the result of the invasion of Menelik II." If we want to leave, it is also the Amhara people who have rolled out of our land. If we leave the land of our ancestors and hand it over to the Amharas, how should we explain to our ancestors and descendants? ”

At this time, many people were silent, and they were naturally reluctant to leave here, but what if they didn't leave, what would they be able to do with the Amhara? With an entire ethnic group of more than 30 million and a control over the country's military and political affairs, should we follow the example of the Ogaden National Home Textile Front, form an armed force, unite with other races, and fight against the rule of the Amharas?

"You have a point, we can't leave, but how do we save ourselves? Do you want to take up arms and become independent? Let this land be separated from Ethiopia. ”

"What's wrong with that, our seats in parliament and the people in the government departments. All of them have been revoked, and it can be said that they have nothing to do with Ethiopia as a country. Racial discrimination has not been resolved for a day, and now it is still imposing its own failures on us. This kind of country, which we have been able to endure to this day, is already our greatest mercy. Even if they break up and take up arms to fight against the Amharas, they can't continue to be like this. ”

"But we don't have weapons, and if this war of independence breaks out, it will probably be a catastrophe for our race, I think. On the premise of having a certain degree of certainty, it is easy to do it. ”

"We can't ask Somalia for help, we are all of the same race, we have the same blood in our veins, and I believe that Somalia will not watch us being bullied like this."

As soon as this person's words came out, all the eyes of the entire mosque were focused on him, and most of the people's faces already had a look of hope.

At this time. Another person stood up and said: "I'm afraid it's not so easy, there is no denying that there is no peace between Somalia and Ethiopia, and when I heard that the peace agreement was signed, Somalia refused to sign Ethiopia's share." But now Somalia has just stabilized. Whether it will be for the sake of us people, from the beginning of the war, is really difficult to say. After all, we don't have much contact with our compatriots in Somalia. Whether they will think of us people, I'm afraid, I can't say. ”

"So what to do. It's impossible to sit still. In short, if you can't give up this land. Then we have to resist, and I believe that when the time comes, the tens of millions of compatriots in Somalia will never let us fight alone. ”

"It's that organizations like the Ogaden National Home Textile Front have people supporting them, let alone us. In the future, we will unite to keep Ethiopia awake every night. ”

At this time, Idris spoke: "Don't talk about the Ogaden National Home Textile Front, their ideas are too extreme and not suitable for us, after all, there are more than seven million people behind us. ”

Idris disliked this Ogaden National Home Textile Front organization, even though it was also composed of ethnic Somalis and spared no effort to defend its own rights and interests. But their ideas are too extreme, and their methods are too cruel. No matter how good the starting point is, it is not worthy of his appreciation.

"Great Elder, how should we deal with the current dangerous situation, every day passes, the situation of our people will be a little sader."

Idris did not understand this situation, but many things could not be done by thought, "There is only one real solution to this matter, and that is to seek the help of the Somali State and immediately arrange a petition to be handed over to the Somali government." As for the outcome, it depends on Allah......"

Before Idris could finish speaking, a hurried figure ran in from the gate of the mosque, and walked quickly to his side, whispering in his ear: "Great Elder, the Somali government has secretly come here. He said that he was coming to solve our problems. ”

Idris's eyes suddenly brightened, and the whole person seemed to be several years younger, and his mouth was not slow at all, and he said very quietly: "Please go to the secret room immediately, and you must keep it secret." ”

"Please rest assured, Great Elder." The people came and walked out quickly.

"Let's keep talking! I'll leave for a while. Idris announced very dryly, then got up tremblingly and walked towards the backyard of the mosque, leaving dozens of dazed chieftains, who for a while guessed what the person had said to the Great Elder.

Two minutes later, Grand Elder Idris came to the chamber below the mosque, and as he sat down, the young man walked in with a black man dressed in traditional Somali attire.

"Great Elder, people have led the way."

"Let's go down!" Idris waved his hand, and after the man left, he spoke: "I am Idris, the Grand Elder of the Somali Self-Salvation Alliance, Idris, please take a seat, I don't know the name of your honorable guest." ”

The person who came took off his headscarf, put the briefcase in his hand again, sat down opposite the Great Elder very naturally, and then said with a smile: "I don't have a name, of course, you can call me 068." ”

"Well, Mr. 068, you're really from Somalia." Idris has seen a lot of wind and rain in his life, and he doesn't care what the other party's strange number means.

"Yes, Somalis in the world are one family, this is the governing philosophy of our Somali government, and a strong Somalia is the strong backing of every Somali outside." 068 said very seriously.

"And you're here?" Hearing the other party's answer, Idris resisted the excitement in his heart and said.

068 kept a smile on his face and said, "I am here to help you on behalf of the President of Somalia, although our President is Chinese, but for the Somali people have always treated their own compatriots, when they learned that you were in trouble, they immediately launched a number of aid programs. Whatever you decide, we will strongly support you. Even if it's a military dispatch! ”

"And how do I trust you?" Although Idris was very excited, he still did not choose to believe it easily.

"You don't need to believe who I am, you just trust your own judgment and your eyes." As he spoke, 068 took out a well-packaged mobile phone from his briefcase, put it in front of Idris, and said: "This mobile phone can directly contact our Vice President His Excellency Mohammadi, and when the time comes, you can tell him directly what you need." ”

After 068 finished speaking, he stood up, wrapped his turban, bowed slightly to Idris, and said, "Now I take my leave." ”

Looking at 068, who had already left, Idris took out his phone from his trembling box, took a few deep breaths, and pressed the dial button.

The call was quickly connected: "Hey, I'm Mohammadi, are you?" ”

"I'm Idris of the Ethiopian Somali Self-Help Alliance, and you are really Mr. Mohammudi, one of the two vice-presidents of Somalia?" Idris could clearly feel his frantic heartbeat, but luckily he didn't have high blood pressure, otherwise......

"Yes, this communication channel has been satellite encrypted, if you need anything, just say it, as a Somali, I have the heart to help the personal safety of every Somalis." On the other end of the phone, Mohammadi said.

Idris took a deep breath, controlled his excitement, and said solemnly: "I want more than 7 million Ethiopian Somalis to become Somali citizens. ”

"No problem, but this matter requires your cooperation."

"How do you need our cooperation?"

"How to cooperate, we will send a commissioner to guide you."

…………

Inside the base, Mohammadi and Farah were sitting face to face with Li Lan, who was the first president of Somalia, and according to the Somali Constitution, Li Lan appointed the two of them as his administrative deputies.

Li Lan knew about the Somali crisis that broke out in Ethiopia for a long time, and with his rise in the past two years, the impact on Ethiopia has been particularly huge. A strong Somalia is the last thing Ethiopia wants to see, regardless of the involvement of interests, but a multi-ethnic country always retains the greatest vigilance against the strength of a trans-ethnic state.

Ethiopia is naturally well aware of the long-standing national independence crisis in the country, and once Somalia grows stronger, it will inevitably affect the Somali ethnic group in the country. However, in recent years, the emotions between the various ethnic groups have become more and more agitated, and the centripetal force of the country has begun to crumble.

This is also for the reason why Li Lan did not plan to complete the mandatory tasks of the base as soon as the war ended, in addition to the fact that he wanted to let the soldiers rest and recuperate, but also wanted to give himself a more defensible reason. After all, after World War II, the unchangeable agreement on the borders of European countries at full speed had a great impact on the whole world, and a country that had no reason to invade and occupy the territory of other countries could not bear the negative impact of such a thing.

Even if you want to be a bitch and set up an archway, you have to find a defensible reason to realize your ambitions.

The national crisis brewing in Ethiopia has been fermenting for a long time, and Li Lan has never interfered before, in order to avoid letting other countries understand his purpose in advance. Now he's about to start making a move, and the time has come to prepare. (To be continued......)