Ethiopia concerned with deployment of Egyptian military aircrafts to Somalia

ADDIS ABABA - The Federal Republic of Ethiopia has reportedly expressed concerns over the deployment of Egyptian military aircraft in Somalia, a move which could further trigger tensions within three Horn of Africa regions, that have been restless for years.

According to multiple sources, the Ethiopian wondered about the motivation behind the deployment of the military aircraft to Somalia, which has been at loggerheads with Addis Ababa for the last seven months.

The concerns, sources added, are fuelled by the fact that the aircraft is said to be heading to areas within the shared common borders between the two countries. Ethiopia, a major security stakeholder in Somalia, shares one of the longest common borders with Somalia.

Lately, the two nations are embroiled in a diplomatic spat after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland over access to the Red Sea, an idea opposed by Somalia. In return, Ethiopia pledges to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, much to the detriment of Somalia.

This reaction also stems from ongoing tensions, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, which has been a point of contention between Egypt and Ethiopia due to its implications for water security in the Nile Basin.

On Tuesday, two Egyptian military aircraft landed in Mogadishu. This follows the signing and endorsement of a defense pact between Somalia and Egypt. The defense pact was signed a few weeks ago between the delegations of the two nations.

The African Union Security Council last month okayed Egypt's application to deploy forces in Somalia from January when the term of the current mission lapses. Egypt will be in charge of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) which replaces the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Two C-130 Egyptian military aircraft arrived at Mogadishu International Airport on Tuesday carrying equipment and personnel, sources added. There were no immediate reactions from Somalia over the latest developments.

Somalia and Egypt are strengthening their military cooperation amid a bitter dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over the controversial Memorandum of Understanding signed by Addis with Somaliland. Turkey has been mediating the crisis but to date, no formal talks have taken place.

The government of Somalia insists Ethiopia is not welcome to undertake peacekeepers missions after the expiry of ATMIS mandate, insisting that Addis Ababa must respect Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, failure to which, the row will remain unresolved.

GAROWE ONLINE