One of the reasons the United States refused to supply critical military hardware to Somalia was because it considered the latter an invader conquering Ethiopia rather than a liberator. A creative way to have bypassed this situation would have been to add a mission statement that the Somali Republic was attempting to restore the Crown Prince Amha Selassie to his father’s throne. This would have given the Americans cover to back Somalia’s operation against the Soviet backed Derg.
Once we got rid of Derg, we could press the crown prince to sign away the Ogaden on a permanent basis and put in place measures that saw the eventual release of Eritrea, Oromia, Afaria and Harar from the Ethiopian Empire.
Most of the male princes and royals were executed by the Derg, while the princesses and other royal women were being brutalised in jail. Amha Selassie, who had been outside the country during the coup against his father, would definitely have wanted the safe return of his sisters and other female relatives, which Somalia could promise if he got on board with the operation.
Sure, his kingdom would be significantly reduced but at-least he would still be a monarch on his own soil.
Once we got rid of Derg, we could press the crown prince to sign away the Ogaden on a permanent basis and put in place measures that saw the eventual release of Eritrea, Oromia, Afaria and Harar from the Ethiopian Empire.
Most of the male princes and royals were executed by the Derg, while the princesses and other royal women were being brutalised in jail. Amha Selassie, who had been outside the country during the coup against his father, would definitely have wanted the safe return of his sisters and other female relatives, which Somalia could promise if he got on board with the operation.
Sure, his kingdom would be significantly reduced but at-least he would still be a monarch on his own soil.
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