Wed Sep 25 07:57:17 UTC 2024: ## Egypt Sends Arms Shipment to Somalia Amid Somaliland Dispute
**Mogadishu, Somalia -** The Egyptian government has confirmed sending a second shipment of military equipment to Somalia, escalating tensions surrounding Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with the self-declared republic of Somaliland.
The delivery, which arrived on Sunday, comes as Somalia demands Ethiopia cancel its deal with Somaliland, which it views as an infringement on its sovereignty. The agreement sees Ethiopia recognize Somaliland in exchange for a 20-kilometer stretch of coastline.
Egypt, itself embroiled in a dispute with Ethiopia over Nile River water sharing, has declared strong support for Somalia. The two countries signed a defense agreement in August, followed by the first shipment of military equipment.
The latest shipment, delivered by an Egyptian military cargo ship, was confirmed by Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf. He stated the aid aimed to support Somalia’s security, stability, and combat against terrorism, and to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The arrival of the equipment was reported by Mogadishu port staff and residents who witnessed the offloading of howitzers and other military hardware.
Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur acknowledged the shipment on his Facebook page, sharing a photo of himself and Somali army commander General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin observing the operation.
While the Somali government has remained silent, Somali lawmaker Mursal Khalif defended the move, stating that seeking support from allies to defend Somalia’s territorial integrity is the right thing to do.
Ethiopia, which has thousands of troops deployed in Somalia as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission, has expressed concern about the new regional geopolitical maneuvers. It has particularly voiced its opposition to the planned transition to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, scheduled for 2025.
Ethiopia has demanded that Somalia withdraw its peacekeeping forces by December unless the deal with Somaliland is revoked. The country has also condemned attempts to destabilize the region.
This latest development raises concerns about escalating regional tensions and the potential for further instability in the Horn of Africa.
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