Egypt has been selling arms to Somalia, a move which seems to be building ties between the two countries. This action is being realized at a time when the region is witnessing an upsurge in tensions, and it will be the biggest development in a long fight against the al-Shabab militia. Ethiopia is seen as one of the antagonists of Egypt and has raised some of their objections over the weapons provision.
Egyptian warship mounted anti-aircraft guns and artillery took on Egyptians in this shipment; it was into Sunday in Mogadishu when the warship arrived. This will be the second weapons shipment in one month that the Egyptians are sending to Somalia, demonstrating the rising interest of Egypt in Somalia’s affairs.
Somalian Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur thanked Egypt for its support and stated, “The country has become independent in choosing the friends with whom it will associate.” A dramatic shift in allegiances partly is due to its status to the fact that Ethiopia has clinched a deal with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed republic Somalia claims is its province.
Ethiopia is also one of the strongest voices advocating for Somalia in its war against the al-Shabab a militant group based in Somalia. However, the Somaliland agreement stresses the relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.
On its own end, Egypt and Ethiopia have been nose to nose over Ethiopia’s construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Nile River, on claims that its resultant reduced water flow will affect the country’s water resources.
Ethiopia has indicated its concerns that the arms shipments could end up in the hands of the militants. Somaliland raised the red flag and declared the move might set an arms race in the region.
Egypt has warned its citizens living in Somaliland to evacuate, citing fears over security concerns.
In fact, the delivery from Egypt of military equipment to Somalia heralds a new development in the Horn of Africa, while the implications of this development are not too clear. Regional tensions have been undeterred by the shifting alliances that followed.
