Ethiopia participates in World War 1

So I have participated in this year's MUN of my school and the committee I have joined is European Conglomerate. The committee is set during World War 1. The committee does not follow the actual timeline or war. The date is the 27th of June, 1914. Representatives from the major powers in Europe and the leaders of various Balkan nations have gathered in an undisclosed location in the midst of rising tensions in order to discuss two things: who gets to control the Balkans, and who gets to colonize which parts of Africa and the far East.

However, given the fragile nature of the current state of tense peace, it is uncertain whether these issues will be decided by the pen,or by the sword:that choice to left to the committee.

I have been assigned with Ethiopia. What should I do to participate effectively in the war and to gain new land.

If I were to pick a side, Ethiopia would most probably side with Russia as it has helped Ethiopia in the past against the Italians. What sorts of other actions should I take to favour Russia or the allies, actions such as going offensive against German East Africa (Tanzania)?

And siding with Russia is not the only option.
 
I'd weigh your options more carefully before choosing a side. Some MUN thing like that, you can't assume that the sides will shake out in any manner vaguely resembling OTL. More to the point, Russia might not be able to provide too much material help to you, and they certainly have higher priorities. Just focus on who seems the most threatening to your position, and try to counteract them.

Taken from a guy with barely any MUN experience, but it is what it is.
 
Ignore past friendships or help. Whoever helped you or harmed you in the past is history.

Don't place your concern on what to do to best help your allies. Your focus is on helping Ethiopia. That will probably mean wanting your allies to do well, but don't sacrifice yourself for your allies.

Work out what you want to get out of the situation. What is your end goal? What do you have to offer? Ethiopia has a strategic location that places it across the sea lanes between the Suez Canal and India. That means Britain is of interest to you, one way or another. Britain is also the Big Beast in Africa. Therefore decide whether you'll do better getting what you want by being friends with Britain or by kicking it while it's busy elsewhere.

What have you got in the way of goods to offer? Who is likely to pay for the goods?

Lots of people are involved with many concerns, and you're frankly small beer in the grand scheme of things. So they'll probably not look too closely at the details of any deal affecting you. You can probably become regionally very significant without anyone noticing.
 
Everything above is good, realistic advice. What I will add, is that after ensuring your survival, gaining a viable seaport is your highest goal. In OTl, there was a port that IIRC, England or France controlled (I think it was England, Ill try to look it up) but France got some revenue from it, so both have an interest in it. Gain that port, and you have access to the outside world for your goods, and the world has as much access as you allow to your nation.
 
Everything above is good, realistic advice. What I will add, is that after ensuring your survival, gaining a viable seaport is your highest goal. In OTl, there was a port that IIRC, England or France controlled (I think it was England, Ill try to look it up) but France got some revenue from it, so both have an interest in it. Gain that port, and you have access to the outside world for your goods, and the world has as much access as you allow to your nation.
Thanks for the advice. Can you please tell me which port you are talking about.
 
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