ADDIS ABABA (Idilnews) — Ethiopia has issued a stern warning following the delivery of military supplies from Egypt to Somalia, accusing Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of colluding with external forces to destabilize the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ethiopian government expressed deep concern over the recent arrival of two Egyptian military planes at Mogadishu’s airport, reportedly carrying weapons and ammunition. The statement also indicated that Egypt plans to deploy troops to Somalia as part of a new African Union (AU) mission scheduled to begin in January 2025.
“Ethiopia cannot remain passive while other actors take steps to destabilize the region,” the statement read, stressing that Addis Ababa is closely monitoring developments that could pose a threat to its national security. The Ethiopian government described the upcoming transition to the new AU mission as “fraught with dangers to the region.”
The statement underscores Ethiopia’s unease as Egypt and Somalia strengthen their military cooperation. The Somali Ambassador to Egypt, Ali Abdi Aware, recently announced that Egypt would be the first country to deploy forces in support of the Somali army following the withdrawal of the current ATMIS, which is set to end on December 31, 2024.
“Egypt has never hesitated to support its brothers,” Aware said, highlighting the deepening ties between Cairo and Mogadishu.
Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed’s concerns come amid broader concerns after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the Abyssinian enemy.
The Ethiopian government’s statement signals its intention to remain vigilant in the face of what it perceives as potential threats to regional stability. After they had signed the Memorandum of Understanding, they leased territory in the breakaway region Somaliland in exchange for recognition.