MOGADISHU, Somalia – A military cargo ship said to be from Egypt docked at Mogadishu’s port on Sunday, delivering what officials describe as the largest shipment of heavy artillery and anti-tank weapons to Somalia since the United Nations lifted its arms embargo in December 2023.
This significant military aid, part of a broader defense pact between Egypt and Somalia, underscores Cairo’s deepening military engagement in the Horn of Africa amidst escalating regional tensions.
The shipment, which included field guns and armored personnel carriers, was offloaded under tight security, with the port temporarily closed to commercial traffic to facilitate the transfer. This move follows a series of high-level diplomatic exchanges, culminating in a defense agreement aimed at enhancing Somalia’s defense capabilities against internal threats like Al-Shabaab and potentially positioning Egypt strategically against the backdrop of its disputes with Ethiopia, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Egypt’s military aid to Somalia is not only a response to Somalia’s need for military hardware to combat insurgency but also reflects Cairo’s strategic interests in countering Ethiopia’s influence in the region. Ethiopia, which has been a key player in Somalia’s security landscape, has expressed concerns over the military buildup, viewing it as a potential destabilizing factor in the Horn of Africa.
Somalia’s Defense Minister, in a statement, emphasized the country’s sovereign right to determine its alliances, suggesting that the military aid from Egypt is part of Somalia’s broader strategy to independently secure its national interests. This comes at a time when Somalia has been navigating complex regional dynamics, including disputes over Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which has raised alarms in Mogadishu over territorial integrity.
The deployment of Egyptian military personnel and equipment to Somalia, as observed in recent weeks, signals a significant shift in the regional power dynamics. While Egypt aims to bolster its strategic position, potentially as a counterbalance to Ethiopia’s regional maneuvers, the move has raised eyebrows among regional analysts who fear an escalation in tensions.
Ethiopia, through its diplomatic channels, has indicated that it will not stand by while external actors, like Egypt, potentially destabilize the region. The Ethiopian government has highlighted its historical role in Somalia’s stability, particularly in combating terrorism, and warned against actions that could lead to conflict.
This development marks a pivotal moment in the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa, where historical rivalries, resource conflicts, and security concerns intersect. The influx of Egyptian military aid into Somalia could either stabilize the region by strengthening Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab or exacerbate existing tensions, depending on how regional actors perceive and react to this strategic shift.
As of now, the international community, including the African Union, is closely monitoring the situation, advocating for dialogue and de-escalation to prevent any unintended consequences from this military aid transfer.
