Yet more war fears in the Horn

Earlier this week, fears of yet another war in the Horn of Africa were raised after Eritrea evicted the UN mission monitoring the border between itself and Ethiopia. The move was ratified by the Security Council shortly thereafter.

In the last decade, the countries have fought a bloody and incomprehensibly stupid war over a patch of sand known as Badme. It was so insane that the war was likened to 'two bald men fighting over a comb.'

Eritrea tried to allay fears of a new war by stating the the UN mission's presence was merely 'symbolic' so its departure won't matter much. It also accused Ethiopia of continuing to occupy Eritrean territory.

Probably a more compelling reason that makes another war unlikely is that Ethiopian forces are otherwise engaged in their US-backed aggression against Somalia.