- Egypt delivered a significant consignment of military equipment to Somalia
- This is the second such delivery in a month
- Ethiopia has been a longtime ally of the Somali government
Egypt has delivered a significant consignment of military equipment to Somalia, according to security officials in the capital.
This is the second such delivery in a month, reflecting the growing relationship between the two countries as tensions with Ethiopia escalate.
Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur expressed gratitude to Egypt for the support, though he did not specify the nature of the weapons.
The shipment, which arrived on a warship, included anti-aircraft guns and artillery, according to Reuters.
The delivery has sparked concerns in the region, with Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is not internationally recognized, expressing deep alarm.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Somaliland stated that the unchecked proliferation of arms could lead to an arms race and further instability.
Egypt’s support for Somalia comes amidst a deteriorating relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Ethiopia has been a longtime ally of the Somali government but has faced criticism for its support of Somaliland.
Additionally, the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Nile River by Ethiopia has angered Egypt, which sees it as a threat to its water supply.
As tensions in the Horn of Africa continue to rise, Egypt’s increased involvement in Somalia has raised questions about its regional ambitions and the potential for further instability.
