Deployment of Egyptian forces triggers anger in Somalia

NAIROBI, Kenya - The planned deployment of Egyptian forces in Somalia has triggered anger and disagreements in the country, a move which could tremendously derail the implementation of peace processes and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

Somalia, which signed a defense pact with Egypt, has invited the northern African country to deploy its troops for peacekeeping outings. The soldiers are set to join under African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in January 2025.

But the move has triggered a backlash in federal states, particularly in Southwest which prefers Ethiopian troops, who are stationed in the region under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) whose mandate expires in December 2024.

Protests were witnessed in Bakol where thousands of the residents were seen carrying placards with such slogans as ‘doonimayno Masar’ (we don’t want Egypt) and ‘soo dhowoow Itoobiya’ (welcome Ethiopia).

With the protests derailing transportation, PM Hamza Abdi Barre flew to Baidoa in the company of top aides including the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Abdullahi Mohamed Ali alias Sanbaloolshe.

The delegation had a major goal; to persuade Abdiaziz Laftagareen, the regional leader that the federal government would ensure safety and security once the Ethiopian troops left. Mogadishu insists Ethiopian troops ought to leave at the expiry of the ATMIS mandate.

Instead, Egyptian troops, tentatively numbered 5,000 will take part in the new AUSSOM plus an additional 5,000 arriving via a bilateral agreement between Somalia and Egypt, The EastAfrican reports. Laftagareen is expected in Mogadishu to iron out the issue.

“The Somali National Forces are adequately empowered to grant the security of the States and any worries on security will be cleared,” Barre had said in Baidoa.

Both Southwest and Puntland are in support of Ethiopia despite the fact that Somalia had cut ties with Addis Ababa, citing infringement of its territorial integrity and sovereignty after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland, which grants it access to the Red Sea.

Upon acquiring 20 kilometers of the Red Sea, Ethiopia pledged to recognize Somaliland, a move which angered Somalia. Egypt, which is at loggerheads with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam, seized the loophole and signed a defense pact with Somalia.

“The peace, stability, and education in Waif town are achieved through the sacrifices of the Ethiopian troops,” said Mohamed Yusuf as protesters held cards showing the Ethiopian flag.

The murmurs began when the first two Egyptian army planes landed at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport towards the end of August to deliver weapons. Egypt had supported Somalia before, against Ethiopia. In the 1960s and 1970s, that support was often celebrated. This year seems different.

Even the South West itself isn’t united. Tension rose when about two dozen lawmakers representing SWS in the Lower House of the federal parliament, last week, strongly spoke out in favour of the pro-Ethiopian demonstrations in the Bakol region while others also from SWS rejected the Ethiopian preference as anti-Somali interest.

Sensing great escalation of tensions and polarisation within the legislature, the Speaker of Somalia’s Lower House, officially known as the House of the People, Aden Mohamed Nur Madobe issued a directive banning all press conferences from being held both inside and outside the parliamentary premises.

Outspoken MP Dahir Amin Jesow came out critical of the ban.

“Press conferences are a tool to voice our views. Denying such opportunities amounts to suppression of political transparency and open discourse,” Jesow told the media.

The MPs have since resorted to social media, enhancing divisions. The pro-Mogadishu MPs asked parliament to revoke the immunity of the pro-Ethiopian lawmakers so that they could be prosecuted for treason.

GAROWE ONLINE