Ethiopia Sounds Alarm Over Egypt's Military Aid to Somalia

Ethiopia has expressed grave concerns over Egypt's recent delivery of military aid to Somalia, warning that it could exacerbate tensions in East Africa. The move comes as the African Union-led mission, AUSSOM, prepares to take over from the existing peacekeeping force in January 2024, with a mandate to combat the Al-Shabaab group.

Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry has issued a stern statement, cautioning that the situation is "fraught with dangers" and accusing Somalia of colluding with external actors to destabilize the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia has made it clear that it cannot stand idly by while others take actions that could lead to regional instability.

The move has further strained relations between Ethiopia and Egypt, which have long been at odds over Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. Additionally, Ethiopia's relations with Somalia have deteriorated since it signed a controversial maritime deal with the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland.

As Egypt and Somalia strengthen their ties, including a military cooperation agreement, Ethiopia is keeping a close eye on developments, fearing further destabilization in the region. With Egypt set to deploy forces to support Somali security after the withdrawal of the current AU force, ATMIS, by the end of 2024, the situation is becoming increasingly volatile.