Adis-ababa Ethiopia.The remarks by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie reflect growing concerns about the increasing militarization of the Horn of Africa, specifically regarding arms shipments to Somalia. His warnings, issued during a meeting with UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly, stress that the inflow of military supplies into Somalia could worsen the region’s already fragile security situation by potentially ending up in the hands of terrorist groups. This concern is heightened by the ongoing conflict involving Al-Shabaab and other militant factions.
The backdrop to Ethiopia’s concerns is Egypt’s significant military aid to Somalia. This shipment, reportedly the largest since the UN lifted Somalia’s arms embargo in December 2023, includes heavy artillery, anti-tank weapons, and armored vehicles, stemming from a defense pact signed between Egypt and Somalia in August 2024. Ethiopian worries are not solely about the security risks posed by Somalia’s administration’s potential inability to manage such military equipment effectively. The broader regional tensions also play a role, as Ethiopia and Somalia have recently been at odds, particularly after Ethiopia’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland concerning port access.
Somaliland’s government also voiced apprehension, questioning Mogadishu’s capability to control these military assets, which could destabilize not only Somalia but the broader region. These concerns have strategic implications as Egypt’s deepening military engagement with Somalia, including possible plans to station 10,000 soldiers, signals growing competition and rivalries in the region.
Further complicating the situation is Ethiopia’s role in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), where Foreign Minister Taye emphasized the need for a thorough review of the mission’s mandate, structure, and financing.
In addition, Ethiopia continues to advocate for peaceful resolution in Sudan, reflecting its broader diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. This multifaceted regional context illustrates the complexity of balancing national security concerns with diplomatic relations and peacekeeping efforts amidst growing geopolitical shifts in the Horn of Africa.
