Two C-130 military planes from Egypt landed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on August 27, 2024, reportedly carrying military equipment as part of a broader deployment of Egyptian forces in Somalia. This deployment follows a defense agreement between Egypt and Somalia, which aims to bolster security cooperation in the region.
The arrival of the military equipment comes at a time of heightened tension in the Horn of Africa. Recently, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed canceled the third round of indirect talks with Ethiopia, which were initiated by Turkey. The cancellation follows a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, granting Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of coastal land in Somaliland on a 50-year rental agreement. Somalia has accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty due to this agreement, which has further strained relations in the region.
Somalia’s federal government, led by President Mohammed, has been actively seeking diplomatic and military support from neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Eritrea. The Egyptian military presence in Somalia is framed as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), which is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by the end of January 2025.
Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have been exacerbated by the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is nearing completion. In light of these developments, Somalia has explicitly stated its opposition to the inclusion of Ethiopian forces in the upcoming AUSSOM mission. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre emphasized that Ethiopian forces would not participate unless Ethiopia withdraws from the contentious MoU with Somaliland.
During a recent town hall meeting in Mogadishu, Prime Minister Barre asserted, “If Ethiopia does not withdraw from its MoU agreement with Somaliland, its forces will not be part of the upcoming operation. If they remain, it will not be under the African Union mandate.” He further stated that Somalia has effectively outmaneuvered Ethiopia regarding the implementation of the agreement with Somaliland.
The Prime Minister highlighted widespread rejection of the MoU among Somalis, asserting, “This agreement is not something Somalis anywhere can accept.” The situation remains fluid as Somalia navigates its diplomatic relations and security arrangements amidst regional tensions.