Egypt delivered military aid to Somalia to support the country’s fight against terrorism and promote stability, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 23 September. “This shipment underscores our commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as our shared efforts to help the Somali people achieve lasting peace and stability,” Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tamim Khalaf explained in the announcement. Egypt’s assistance comes under a military cooperation agreement signed between the two nations on 14 August. The shipment also comes in light of escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly between Somalia and Ethiopia after the latter allied with the breakaway region of Somaliland. EXPLAINER On 1 January, Somaliland announced a surprise agreement to lease land to Ethiopia for the construction of a naval facility on its coast in exchange for Ethiopia’s recognition of its statehood. Somaliland, a former British colony along the Gulf of Aden, declared independence from Somalia in 1991, though no country has officially recognized it. Despite this, Somaliland has attracted significant foreign investment, partly due to its strategically located Berbera port. The alliance grants land-locked Ethiopia 20 kilometers (approximately 12.43 miles)…
Egypt Delivers Military Aid to Somalia Amid Regional Tensions
September 24, 2024
