An Egyptian warship has delivered a second significant shipment of weapons to Somalia, including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, according to officials. This move is expected to heighten tensions between Somalia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that the military aid shipment had arrived in Mogadishu to strengthen the Somali army.
The ministry stated that this assistance highlights Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia in building its national defense capabilities, aiming to promote security, stability, and development.
“We know our own interests, and the choice of our allies is our decision to make, not to be dictated by others”.
Defence Minister @Amohamednur pic.twitter.com/bCKyelaUp3
— Nasra Bashir Ali (@NasraBashiir) September 23, 2024This marks Egypt’s second military delivery to Somalia since August, which was its first in over 40 years. Relations between Egypt and Somalia have grown this year due to their mutual distrust of Ethiopia. After signing a joint security pact in August, Cairo has sent multiple shipments of arms to Mogadishu.
The weapons were unloaded from the Egyptian warship on Sunday, according to a diplomat, as reported by Reuters. Security forces cordoned off the area around the port and roads leading to military bases as the weapons were transported.
Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur was seen overseeing the unloading, as shared by an official from the Somali Prime Minister’s office.
Tensions have risen between Somalia and Ethiopia after Ethiopia signed a preliminary agreement in January with Somaliland—a breakaway region—to lease land for a port in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Somalia views this deal as a violation of its sovereignty and has called for Ethiopia’s soldiers to withdraw by the end of the year unless the agreement is revoked.
Egypt, which has been in a long-standing dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile, has also criticized the Somaliland deal. In January, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed solidarity with Somalia, stating that Egypt would not allow any threat to Somali security.
Additionally, Egypt has offered to provide troops for a new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, according to the African Union, though Cairo has yet to comment publicly on the matter.
