Egyptian Military Shipment to Somalia Heightens Tensions with Ethiopia
An Egyptian ship has delivered military equipment to Somalia amid deteriorating relations with Ethiopia. Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has thanked Egypt, signaling a shift in alliances in the Horn of Africa. This marks Egypt’s second arms delivery in a month as Somalia reacts to Ethiopia’s agreements with Somaliland, raising concerns about regional tensions and arms proliferation.
An Egyptian vessel has recently delivered a substantial shipment of military equipment to Somalia, as reported by security officials located in Mogadishu. The Somali Defence Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, expressed gratitude towards Egypt on social media, although he refrained from explicitly mentioning the arms supply. This delivery marks Egypt’s second military shipment to Somalia within a month, reflecting the deteriorating relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, a former ally. Egypt has been capitalizing on its rivalry with Ethiopia to forge closer ties with Somalia, raising concerns regarding escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa region. The military cargo, transported by a warship that docked on Sunday, reportedly consisted of anti-aircraft guns and artillery, as per information from Reuters citing local port officials. Additionally, a BBC journalist in Mogadishu observed the transportation of weapons through the streets of the city. In his post on X, Minister Nur is depicted observing the naval vessel with his back turned towards the camera. He stated, “Somalia has passed the stage where they were dictated to and awaited the affirmation of others on who it will engage with. We know our own interests, and we will choose between our allies and our enemies. Thank you Egypt.” This statement reflects the shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia has historically supported the Somali government in its battle against the militant group al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab. However, Somali officials are incensed that Ethiopia recently signed a preliminary agreement with Somaliland to lease a portion of its coastline, as Somalia considers Somaliland to be an integral part of its territory. Furthermore, tensions have been exacerbated between Addis Ababa and Cairo over the last decade concerning Ethiopia’s construction of a massive hydroelectric dam on the Nile River, which Egypt perceives as a potential threat to its water supply. In response to the latest arms shipment, Somaliland, which lacks international recognition, expressed serious concern, deeming the influx of weapons in an already precarious situation as a catalyst for an arms race among various factions seeking to fortify their positions. “The unchecked proliferation of arms in an already fragile environment heightens the risk of an arms race, with various factions likely seeking to acquire their own stockpiles in order to safeguard their interests,” stated Somaliland’s foreign affairs ministry. In addition, last weekend, Egypt advised its citizens in Somaliland to evacuate for security reasons. This occurrence is not unprecedented; in August, two Egyptian military aircraft delivered arms and ammunition to Mogadishu following a deal made during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s state visit to Cairo. At that moment, Ethiopia asserted that it could not remain passive while other participants destabilized the region. In rebuttal, Somalia’s defence minister informed Ethiopia to cease “wailing” as they would “all reap what they sowed,” indicating a reference to their deteriorating diplomatic ties. Currently, Ethiopia maintains approximately 3,000 troops in Somalia as part of an African Union mission supporting the country’s government. Furthermore, there are discussions about deploying up to 5,000 Egyptian soldiers to augment a revamped African Union force by year-end, accompanied by an additional contingent of 5,000 troops reported to be deployed separately.
The recent military delivery from Egypt to Somalia occurs against a backdrop of strained relations in the Horn of Africa, predominantly between Somalia and Ethiopia. Historically, Ethiopia has acted as a supporter of the Somali government in combating extremist groups such as al-Shabab. However, a recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland—a self-proclaimed republic that Somalia views as part of its territory—has led to tensions flaring between the nations. Furthermore, Egypt and Ethiopia have been embroiled in conflict over the construction of a hydroelectric dam by Ethiopia on the Nile, which Egypt fears could threaten its water supply, further complicating diplomatic relations in the region.
In summary, the military shipments from Egypt to Somalia indicate a significant shift in alliances amidst escalating hostilities between Somalia and Ethiopia. While Somalia appears to be strengthening its ties with Egypt, Ethiopia reacts to these developments with alarm, underscoring a potential arms race and heightened regional insecurity. With renewed military support and a pivot away from Ethiopian influence, Somalia is asserting its independence—a strategy that could have far-reaching implications for stability in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.genocidewatch.com
