Egypt Sends Military Aid to Somalia as Territorial Tensions with Ethiopia Persist.

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Egypt confirmed it had sent military aid to Somalia, demonstrating its support for the Horn of Africa nation, currently in conflict with Ethiopia over a breakaway territory. This aid comes in the midst of growing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, aggravated by the issue of Somaliland’s recognition, a region that seceded from Somalia three decades ago.
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This cooperation agreement followed a controversial proposal from landlocked Ethiopia, which planned to formally recognize Somaliland in exchange for access to a port and a military base on the Gulf of Aden (Picture source: Somalian MoD)

A shipment, that recently arrived in Mogadishu, is part of Egypt's commitment to support Somalia's efforts to ensure security and stability, combat terrorism, and maintain its sovereignty and unity, according to a brief statement released Monday by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Although the specifics of the military assistance were not disclosed, it was indicated that the aid aims to strengthen the Somali army's capabilities. This support is part of a military cooperation protocol signed between the two nations in August.

This cooperation agreement followed a controversial proposal from landlocked Ethiopia, which planned to formally recognize Somaliland in exchange for access to a port and a military base on the Gulf of Aden. Somalia, which still regards Somaliland as part of its territory, reacted angrily to this proposal, intensifying regional tensions.

In response to the announcement of Egyptian military aid, Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep alarm over the transfer of weapons, stating that "the Mogadishu administration currently lacks the capacity to effectively manage or safeguard such a large cache of military equipment." This statement highlights concerns over Somalia's ability to handle military resources, given its ongoing struggles with insurgent groups and internal security challenges.

In August 2024, another shipment of weapons was delivered, along with a promise to provide training to Somali troops (Picture source: X channel Inside Africa)

This is not the first time Egypt has sent military aid to Somalia. In August, another shipment of weapons was delivered, along with a promise to provide training to Somali troops, as announced at the time by Somalia’s Foreign Minister.

This development is part of a broader context of rivalry between Egypt and Ethiopia. The two countries have been at odds for several years over the massive hydroelectric dam Ethiopia has constructed on the main tributary of the Nile River. Cairo has long expressed concerns that the dam's reservoir may disrupt the flow of its main source of fresh water, a crucial resource for Egypt.