Egypt and Somalia have signed a significant defense agreement, reinforcing their strategic ties amid ongoing tensions with Ethiopia. The treaty was formalized with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on 14 August during Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s two-day visit to Cairo. Context of the Agreement The defense pact comes at a time of heightened tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, particularly after Ethiopia’s recent deal with Somaliland in January. A surprising memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland has intensified tensions in the Horn of Africa, with potential wider implications. 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. On 1 January, Somaliland announced an 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. This deal has angered Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its territory and fears Ethiopia’s growing influence might threaten its sovereignty, and Somalis went out to the streets to protest the…
