Egypt is ramping up its military presence in Somalia prior to the Ethiopian troop withdrawal deadline, providing military training and support against Al Qaeda-linked militants. This military mission follows a significant cooperation agreement signed with Somalia, amid strained relations between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Nile dam project and regional security dynamics.
Egypt is enhancing its military mission in Somalia ahead of the December 31 deadline for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from the Horn of Africa country. According to sources reported by The National, Cairo is not only training and equipping the Somali security forces to combat Al Qaeda-affiliated insurgents but has also signed a pivotal military cooperation agreement with Somalia in August. As part of this arrangement, Egypt has dispatched military advisors, trainers, and counter-terrorism commandos to Mogadishu, with the expectation that thousands of Egyptian personnel will be involved by year-end. Currently, there are approximately 22,000 Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia, deployed under a bilateral agreement and as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission meant to counter Al Shabab militants. However, relations between Egypt and Somalia with Ethiopia are strained; Cairo has expressed concerns regarding the construction of an Ethiopian dam that threatens its Nile water resources, while Somalia has opposed Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland that compromises its sovereignty. Egypt has publicly affirmed its commitment to replace Ethiopian peacekeepers upon their withdrawal, a move that Somalia supports. Furthermore, select Somali forces aligned with Egypt have already been positioned along supply routes utilized by Ethiopian troops to impede any potential troop influx before the deadline. In reaction to Egypt’s military support to Somalia, Ethiopia has reportedly bolstered its military presence. Ethiopian authorities have voiced concerns that arms supplied by external actors could exacerbate security challenges within Somalia, particularly in the hands of militants.
The current military dynamics in the Horn of Africa are deeply intertwined with historical rivalries and competing interests among regional powers, particularly Egypt, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Egypt’s military mission in Somalia is framed against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s significant military presence in the region, estimated at 22,000 troops, which is sustained under peacekeeping agreements. Tensions between these nations have escalated in recent years, largely due to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt views as a threat to its vital Nile water supply. As Somalia grapples with the persistent threat of Al Shabab, Egypt’s increased military involvement can be seen as a strategic maneuver to counter Ethiopian influence while fostering alliances with Somali forces.
In conclusion, Egypt’s military involvement in Somalia signifies a strategic response to the impending withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and an assertion of influence in the Horn of Africa. With a commitment to bolster Somali security forces and replace Ethiopian peacekeepers, this initiative indicates Cairo’s intention to counter Ethiopian dominance in the region and protect its interests concerning the Nile waters. Such developments are likely to have lasting impacts on regional stability, reflecting broader power struggles and geopolitical interests within this tumultuous area.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
