An Egyptian warship has delivered a substantial shipment of arms to Somalia, including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, according to port and military sources. The move, which took place on Sunday and Monday, is expected to heighten tensions between Somalia, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
Relations between Egypt and Somalia have strengthened this year, driven by mutual distrust of Ethiopia. In August, the two countries signed a joint security agreement, leading Cairo to send multiple arms shipments to Mogadishu.
Ethiopia’s recent deal with Somaliland, which involves leasing land for a port and potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence, has angered Somalia, which sees it as a violation of its sovereignty. Egypt, embroiled in a longstanding dispute with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), has condemned the Somaliland agreement.
Security was tight during the arms unloading, with the area around Mogadishu’s port heavily secured by Somali forces. Photos posted by Nasra Bashir Ali, an official in the Somali Prime Minister’s office, show the country’s defense minister overseeing the operation.
While Egypt and Ethiopia have not officially commented, Ethiopia has deployed thousands of troops to Somalia as part of an African Union mission fighting Islamist insurgents. Somalia, however, has warned it may demand the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops by the end of the year if the Somaliland deal is not abandoned.
Meanwhile, Egypt has reportedly offered to send its own troops to support peacekeeping efforts in Somalia, further complicating the regional dynamic.
