Written By Lisa Murimi
A new military alliance between Somalia and Egypt is causing significant unease in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Ethiopia.
This week, the arrival of two Egyptian C-130 military aircraft in Mogadishu marked the beginning of a defense agreement signed in August during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Cairo.
The deal includes the deployment of up to 5,000 Egyptian soldiers to join an African Union (AU) force in Somalia, with another 5,000 to be deployed separately.
Ethiopia, which has been a key ally of Somalia in its fight against al-Shabab militants, views this development with alarm.
The Ethiopian government, already embroiled in a tense dispute with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River, has expressed concerns that the alliance could destabilize the region.
Somalia’s Defense Minister, in a pointed response, criticized Ethiopia’s reaction, stating that “everyone will reap what they sowed.”
The situation is further complicated by Ethiopia’s controversial port deal with Somaliland, which has strained relations with Somalia.
The growing tension has sparked fears of a potential conflict, with regional stability hanging in the balance as both nations navigate their complex geopolitical interests.
