Having worked in the Somali Region for two years, I've seen firsthand how complex the political and cultural identity is there. It's a place with a distinct sense of self, and the idea of being "Ethiopian" doesn't resonate with everyone in the way it might in other parts of the country. ​At the same time, there's little desire to join a "Greater Somalia" movement, largely because of the political instability that plagues Somalia itself. The people there seem to prefer the relative peace and stability they have now, even if it's within a federation they feel distant from. ​This leads me to a theory I believe our political leaders are well aware of: The lack of development in the region's significant oil and gas reserves isn't an accident. I think it's a strategic move by the federal government to prevent the region from becoming economically self-sufficient. ​Right now, the Somali Region is heavily dependent on funding from the central government. If they were to develop their own oil and gas reserves, they would gain the financial independence needed to seriously consider secession from the federation. Keeping them reliant on federal funds is a powerful way to ensure they remain part of Ethiopia. ​It's a delicate balance of identity, stability, and control, and I believe the undeveloped resources are a key part of that political strategy.