Ethiopia angered with Egypt's plans to set up military base in Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has expressed concerns about ongoing plans by Egypt to establish a military base in Somaliland, a move which comes several months after Russia also expressed similar interests, something that could significantly boost Hargeisa's ongoing campaigns to have it recognized internationally.

Egypt, which has been at loggerheads with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam along the Blue Nile, has taken the decision to establish the base at Somaliland, a move which would boost its chances of dominating the military prowess within the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland is being considered strategic due to its long coastline but years of crisis with Somalia have narrowed chances of the region giving access to the rest of the world by hosting the world's biggest military powerhouses. The US is planning also to shift its base from Djibouti to Somaliland, sources say.

Last week, an Egyptian delegation visited Hargeisa for two days where they held a series of top meetings including being hosted by President Muse Bihi Abdi at the presidential palace. It's in this meeting that the idea of Cairo setting up a military base in Somaliland was discussed, reports indicate.

Somaliland is increasingly being considered by other countries as the best destination for their military bases but it is yet to be recognized internationally. It seceded from Somalia in 2001 after years of civil war that were engineered by the regime of Siad Barre.

A wide range of regional and international security actors are currently operating in the Horn and the foreign military installations include land-based facilities [e.g. bases, ports, airstrips, training camps, semi-permanent facilities, and logistics hubs] and naval forces on permanent or regular deployment.

The most visible aspect of this presence is the proliferation of military facilities in littoral areas along the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. China, France, and the United States setting base in Djibouti.

According to a report by writer Neil Melvin on the foreign military presence in the Horn of Africa region, Egypt has not established military bases in the Horn of Africa but is a leading Red Sea power by virtue of its control of the Suez Canal.

Writes Melvin: “In recent years, Egypt has sought to increase its military spending, including in order to project military force into the Horn region.

Egypt inaugurated a new headquarters in Safaga for its southern naval fleet command in January 2017, covering the Red Sea and including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is considered a strategic interest. The southern fleet has recently been strengthened with the acquisition of modern warships, notably an amphibious assault ship.

According to the report, Egypt has been supporting military actions in Yemen because of its partnership with Saudi Arabia. This has primarily involved the deployment of ships to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as part of the naval blockade of Yemeni ports, notably to counter Iranian vessels.

The decision to establish a military base in Somaliland would boost chances of Hargeisa to be recognized internationally. Egypt is one of the economic powerhouses in Africa and its stand would be fundamental for Somaliland's quest.

During the meeting, Egypt and Somaliland agreed on the exchange of high-level representation offices in Hargeisa and Cairo. And this has angered Ethiopia, which accuses Egypt of sabotage over the Constitution of Grand Renaissance Dam, which will be filled in the coming weeks.

The move by Egypt is said to be "revenge" against Somalia, which backed Ethiopia's plans to have the dam refilled within the shortest time possible. Most Arab League states have sided with Egypt in the dispute over the Nile with Ethiopia who has received support from Somalia.

Ethiopia confirmed that it has proceeded with filling the Grand Renaissance Dam before reaching an agreement with Egypt. Egypt has previously warned that filling and operating the dam without an agreement will heighten tensions as it will provoke a crisis and destabilize the troubled region.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have never met over the matter but there have been deliberate efforts to unlock the impasse. US President Donald Trump has met delegations from Cairo and Addis Ababa twice within the last ten months.

GAROWE ONLINE