Egypt Delivers Arms to Somalia After Signing Security Pact, Sources Say

Egypt Delivers Arms to Somalia After Signing Security Pact, Sources Say

Egypt has sent military aid to Somalia for the first time in over 40 years, as part of a growing alliance between the two nations following a newly signed security pact. Three diplomatic and Somali government sources confirmed on Tuesday that two Egyptian military planes arrived at Mogadishu airport with weapons and ammunition, signaling Egypt’s deepening involvement in the region.

This move comes amid heightened tensions between Egypt, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Earlier this year, Ethiopia signed a controversial preliminary agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, which includes a potential lease of coastal land. Mogadishu condemned the deal as an attack on Somalia’s sovereignty and vowed to block it.

Egypt, which has long been in conflict with Ethiopia over the latter’s construction of a massive dam on the Nile River, also denounced the Somaliland deal. Cairo’s involvement in Somalia follows the signing of a security agreement with Mogadishu earlier this month, including a proposal to send Egyptian troops for a new peacekeeping mission set to begin next year.

The Egyptian arms delivery is seen as a provocative move by some regional analysts, who warn of potential escalation with Ethiopia, whose military presence in Somalia includes up to 10,000 troops as part of peacekeeping efforts and bilateral counter-terrorism agreements. “Somalia is playing with fire by antagonizing Ethiopia with Egyptian support,” said one diplomat.

Though the likelihood of direct conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia is low, the risk of proxy warfare remains, particularly if Egyptian forces are deployed along the Ethiopia-Somalia border, analysts have warned. Meanwhile, indirect negotiations brokered by Turkey between Somalia and Ethiopia over the Somaliland dispute continue, with a third round of talks expected next month.