Somalia: Egyptian Aid Meant for National Defense Diverted to  Internal Conflict

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Speaker of the South West State Assembly, Dr. Ali Said Fiqi, issued a blistering condemnation Sunday regarding the alleged misuse of Egyptian military aid, stating that weapons intended to defend the nation are instead being used to fuel civil strife.

Dr. Fiqi clarified that the shipment of small arms was donated by the Egyptian government specifically to bolster Somalia’s national security and combat "the real enemies of the country." He emphasized that the aid was never intended for use against Somali citizens or within the context of internal political disputes.

However, the Speaker revealed that these weapons have reportedly been transferred to local militias in the Burhakaba district. He alleged that the hardware is now being deployed in a domestic conflict against the people of South West State, a move he described as a dangerous violation of the original agreement. The militia is reportedly tasked with undermining the local administration and challenging Laftagareen’s authority.

“When weapons meant for national defense are used incorrectly, it only fuels tensions, divides the community, and endangers the lives of innocent people,” Dr. Fiqi said.

The Speaker concluded by calling on federal government institutions and all relevant parties to immediately halt the diversion of these arms. He urged that the equipment be returned to its intended purpose: the unified defense of the Somali nation.

The Somali federal government is facing allegations of arming local militias within South West State in an attempt to forcibly remove President Abdiaziz Laftagareen from power.

The accusations follow a sharp escalation in political tension between Mogadishu and the regional administration. President Laftagareen recently severed all official ties with the federal government, citing the alleged destabilization efforts as the primary cause for the breakdown in relations.

The move to cut ties with Mogadishu marks a significant crisis for Somalia’s federal system, as South West State remains a critical partner in the ongoing struggle against regional insurgency. Critics of the federal government warn that using military resources to influence local leadership transitions could ignite broader civil unrest and distract from the country's national security priorities.

Egypt and Somalia are deepening their strategic partnership, highlighted by 2024 security pacts, increased military cooperation, and the 2026 deployment of Egyptian forces to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This alignment focuses on security, countering terrorism, and safeguarding regional stability in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea, amidst rising tensions over Ethiopia's activities and Somalia's territorial integrity.

GAROWE ONLINE