Somali PM Meets Arab League Envoy Following Ethiopia Ambassador Attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met with Arab League envoy Abdullah Al-Qutaybi on Sunday to discuss enhancing cooperation in politics, economy, and security among member states. The meeting underscored Somalia’s efforts to strengthen ties with regional organizations amid ongoing diplomatic challenges.

During the discussion, Prime Minister Barre highlighted Somalia's progress in political reforms, economic development, and security stabilization. He expressed appreciation for the Arab League's continued support and its role in fostering collaboration with the Somali government and people.

Ambassador Al-Qutaybi announced that a high-level delegation from the Arab League is expected to visit Somalia soon to implement development projects and praised Somalia's active role in promoting cooperation among member states.

The meeting comes amid recent diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. In April 2024, Somalia ordered Ethiopia's ambassador to leave the country and closed its consulates in Somaliland and Puntland over a port deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty.

Despite these tensions, Somalia and Ethiopia agreed in January 2025 to restore diplomatic relations after a year-long rift, facilitated by Turkey’s mediation through the Ankara declaration, where both nations pledged to resolve differences through dialogue.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has condemned Egypt’s recent military deployment to Somalia, describing it as a significant threat to regional stability and Ethiopia’s national security.

In a statement on Saturday, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, expressed that Addis Ababa is "neither threatened nor comfortable" with the presence of Egyptian forces in Somalia. While emphasizing that Egypt's role does not constitute a direct threat, he added, "as long as they don't try to challenge our forces." Dedefo further remarked, "If they [Egyptians] are to be of any use, it would be in neighboring countries such as Palestine, Libya, or Sudan."

The Egyptian deployment follows a military cooperation agreement signed between Egypt and Somalia in August 2024. The deal allows up to 10,000 Egyptian troops to be stationed in Somalia, with some operating under the African Union’s stabilization mission (AUSSOM) and others under direct Egyptian command. It also includes provisions for arms transfers to Somalia.

Ethiopia views the deployment as part of a broader regional strategy by Egypt to counter Ethiopian influence. Tensions between the two countries have been exacerbated by Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, which Egypt fears could reduce its water supply. Ethiopia maintains that the dam is crucial for its development and does not pose a threat to downstream countries.

Somali officials have defended the Egypt-Somalia military pact, arguing that it aims to rebuild the Somali National Army and strengthen regional security. They maintain that Egypt’s participation in AUSSOM was approved by the African Union and poses no threat to neighboring countries.

The Egyptian deployment has further strained relations between Ethiopia and Somalia, which had only recently begun to ease following a year-long diplomatic rift. Ethiopia has urged the international community to monitor the situation closely and support efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE