Ethiopian troops move close to Somalia border amid tension

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Ethiopia has reportedly deployed more troops towards the common border with Somalia, multiple sources indicate, in what could further escalate tensions in the Horn of Africa, whose instability has raised concerns globally.

For almost eight months, the governments of Ethiopia and Somalia have been at loggerheads over what the latter calls an 'infringement' of territorial integrity and sovereignty, with the former determined to get a share of the access to the Red Sea.

Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland which grants it 20 kilometers of the sea for the construction of a military base and port, in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. Somalia terms the move as 'illegal, null and void'.

With the two countries lacking a common agreement, Somalia has approached both Egypt and Turkey, signing defense pacts in the process, a move seen as a strategy to tame Ethiopia. The move has triggered a response from Addis Ababa.

According to reports, Ethiopia moved armored vehicles and troops to its border with Somalia. This follows Egypt's delivery of weapons to Somalia, amid a defense pact between Egypt and Somalia, escalating tensions due to Ethiopia's deal with Somaliland for port access.

Egypt, which is also in dispute with Ethiopia over the controversial construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), has religiously supported Somalia’s sovereignty, a strategic move geared towards curbing Ethiopia's influence in the region and dominance over the Nile waters.

In light of these happenings, Ethiopia has been a major security stakeholder in Somalia, dispatching over 4,000 troops to serve in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The troops have been integral in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

However, Somalia maintains Egypt will be in charge of the new mission dubbed the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), ruling out the participation of Ethiopia. But Ethiopia says such a decision can only be made by the United Nations and the African Union.

There is no official comment from Ethiopian authorities yet concerning the deployment of troops closer to the border with Somalia, but the deployment is seen as a reaction to the changing military dynamics in the Horn of Africa region.

Ahmed Fiqi, Somalia’s Foreign Affairs minister, said Ethiopia is responsible for the death of several people in the country, adding that they are not welcome for the upcoming peace mission. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nebiyu Tedla of Ethiopia, maintains Ethiopia Somalia is under the influence of external actors to destabilize the region.

The government of Ethiopia further maintains it will do 'everything within our jurisdiction to protect the country'. Turkey-led mediation between the two countries collapsed with Somalia insisting on respect of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

On Thursday, the Somalia cabinet urged the Somali people to unite in protecting the nation’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while steering clear of any actions that might cause internal rifts. The country is fighting Al-Shabaab militants as well.

GAROWE ONLINE