Abiy Ahmed’s nationalist and hawkish foreign policy has brought the Egyptian military to Ethiopia’s doorstep, an unprecedented political blunder by any Ethiopian leader in history.
On Tuesday morning, Egypt delivered its first military aid to Somalia, consisting of two C-130 military planes loaded with weapons and ammunition. This move is likely to escalate tensions between Egypt, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Earlier this month, Egypt and Somalia signed a security pact following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region. The deal involves leasing coastal land in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence from Somalia, which Mogadishu views as an affront to its sovereignty and has vowed to block by all means necessary.
The African Union Security Council also approved Egypt’s offer to contribute troops and lead the new AU Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), which will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The Somali government has informed the African Union that Ethiopia is not welcome to undertake peacekeeping missions in the country after the ATMIS mandate expires at the end of the year.
The arrival of Egyptian military planes in Mogadishu has further strained regional relations, with analysts warning of possible proxy conflicts despite a low risk of direct confrontation. [TN]
#BREAKING: Earlier today, Egyptian military planes landed at Mogadishu Airport, delivering military equipment and officers who will be observing military command centers in Somalia's Hiiraan region along the Ethiopian border.
A total of 10,000 Egyptian soldiers are set to be… pic.twitter.com/AsnIEYcegq
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