Ethiopia Alarmed by Egypt-Somalia Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions

Ethiopia has expressed concerns over a recent defense agreement between Egypt and Somalia, amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. The deal, whose details remain undisclosed, may involve the deployment of Egyptian troops in Somalia. Ethiopia fears these developments could destabilize the region and threaten its national security.

Ethiopia is increasingly worried about a recent defense deal between Egypt and Somalia, two countries it already has disputes with amid escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi signed a security agreement in Cairo recently, though its details remain unclear. The Somali ambassador to Cairo indicated that the first batch of military equipment from Egypt had arrived in Somalia.

Skepticism surrounds the purported deployment of Egyptian troops to Somalia after the African Union's peacekeeping mission ends on Dec. 31. Ethiopia's foreign ministry stated that the nation "cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region."

Ethiopia is embroiled in two key disputes, one with Egypt over a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, and another with Somalia concerning Somaliland's coastline. These developments add further complexity to a region already fraught with conflict and alliances.

(With inputs from agencies.)