Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia Forge Alliance Against Ethiopia
Leaders from Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia convened in Asmara to form a strategic alliance targeting Ethiopia, amidst strained relations over territorial disputes and military dealings. The alliance seeks to enhance regional security and support Somali state institutions while reinforcing military connections among the three nations. Ethiopia’s aspirations for port access and ongoing Nile dam disputes further complicate relationships.
Recent discussions among the leaders of Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia in Asmara signal a growing alliance against Ethiopia. This meeting, coupled with a statement emphasizing respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, appears to be a veiled reference to Ethiopia’s aspirations to access a sea port. Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have intensified, leading Somalia to forge stronger connections with Eritrea and Egypt, both possessing longstanding grievances against Ethiopia. The director of the Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies, Hassan Khannenje, articulated that this coalition seems aimed at exerting pressure on Addis Ababa. A symbolic photograph captured the moment when Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki united with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and Somali leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with an affirmative commitment to boosting Somali institutions to tackle internal and external challenges, including the fight against terrorism. This meeting marked Sisi’s inaugural visit to Eritrea, further highlighting the strengthening ties among these nations. Ethiopia has historically supported Somalia in combating the militant group al-Shabab; however, relations have soured over Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland regarding coastal leasing — an arrangement Somalia contests. Additionally, longstanding tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt views as a potential threat to its Nile water supply, exacerbate the situation. The delivery of military supplies from Egypt to Somalia further indicates a shift in military alliances in the region, particularly in light of Ethiopia’s backtracking of amicable relations with Eritrea, which had shown promise following a peace agreement in 2018. However, the subsequent conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has re-opened wounds, making Eritrea wary of Ethiopia’s aspirations for port access, thus complicating the political landscape in the Horn of Africa.
Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia have historically maintained strained relations with Ethiopia over various territorial and diplomatic disputes. The recent diplomatic tensions, particularly Somalia’s objection to Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland and Egypt’s concerns over the Nile dam, have prompted these nations to reevaluate their strategic alliances. This pivot has surfaced amid a backdrop of deteriorating relations stemming from Ethiopia’s civil conflict and Ertrea’s involvement in the Tigray crisis. The earlier peace agreement signed between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2018 raised hopes for a new era of cooperation, but recent geopolitical developments have rekindled hostilities.
The meeting among Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia underscores a precarious shift in alliances that could pose significant challenges for Ethiopia. Increased military cooperation coupled with diplomatic maneuvering indicates a concerted effort among these nations to address mutual grievances against Ethiopia. Given the historical context and the current geopolitical dynamics, the potential for escalated tensions in the region remains a pressing concern.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
