MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Ethiopia is growing concerned about a recent defense deal between Egypt and Somalia, two countries with which Addis Ababa is embroiled in conflict rising tensions in the Horn of Africa region.
Cairo and Mogadishu signed a security accord earlier this month during a visit to the Egyptian capital by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who held talks with his Egyptian host, President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi.
Details of the deal have not been made public, but Ali Abdi Aware, the Somali ambassador to Cairo, told a Mogadishu radio station that the arrival of military equipment from Egypt to Somalia this week was “the first practical step towards the implementation” of the deal.
In a telephone conversation from Cairo to Arlaadi Media radio on Tuesday, he also claimed that under the agreement, Egyptian troops would be sent to Somalia after December 31, when a African Union Peacekeeping Mission ends in Somalia.
There was no confirmation of such plans from Egypt, which is seeking to strengthen its influence in the Horn of Africa. Cairo has also not confirmed that it is sending military equipment to Somalia.
The prospect of Egyptian troops on its doorstep has raised concerns in Ethiopia. The Foreign Ministry in Addis Ababa issued a statement saying the country “cannot sit idly by while other actors take steps to destabilize the region.”
There are two major disputes between the three African countries.
The first dispute – between Ethiopia and Egypt – is over Ethiopia builds $4 billion dam on Blue Nilea major tributary of the Nile. Egypt fears it will have a devastating effect on water and irrigation supplies downstream unless Ethiopia takes its needs into account. Ethiopia uses the dam to generate much-needed electricity.
The second dispute, between Ethiopia and Somalia, is over Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.
Somalia has been trying to block continued attempts by landlocked Ethiopia to gain access to the Red Sea through a controversial agreement with Somaliland to lease a piece of land along Somaliland’s coastline where Ethiopia would establish a naval base. In return, according to Somaliland authorities, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.
Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as an independent state. Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its territory.
The Federal Government of Somalia has been supported by a African Union Peacekeeping Mission in the fight against the Islamic extremist group al-Shabaabwho has ties to al-Qaeda and is responsible for deadly attacks across the country.
Even after the AU peacekeepers leave, troops from countries such as Uganda and Burundi can remain in Somalia under bilateral agreements.
Ethiopia said on Wednesday it was “closely monitoring developments in the region that could threaten national security” and accused Somalia of “colluding with external actors” to undermine regional stability.
Somaliland also issued a statement on Thursday saying it “strongly objects” to any deployment of Egyptian troops in Somalia.
