Egypt Daily News – The recent decision by Egypt to send weapons and potentially troops to Somalia has stirred unease among African nations contributing to the African Union peacekeeping mission.
Key player nations like Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and others are questioning Egypt’s motives and the implications of its increased influence in Somalia.
Reports indicate that the entry of Egyptian forces could shift the balance of power among forces currently stationed in the region, particularly concerning Ethiopia, which has had a significant military presence in Somalia. Ethiopia’s long-standing relationship with the AU peacekeeping mission is now at risk, with fears that Egypt’s involvement may undermine the mission—something not taken lightly by those nations that have supported peacekeeping operations since their inception over a decade ago.
The Egyptian government signed a “Military Cooperation Protocol” with Somalia and sent military aircraft loaded with arms, actions which Ethiopia warns could lead to heightened instability in a region already marked by historical disputes, especially regarding the Nile waters conflict.
Such developments raise questions among observers and participating nations about the psychological effects these military maneuvers could have on regional alliances and security dynamics.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs recently articulated strong opposition to the potential Egyptian troop deployment, which underlines the suspicions and strategic concerns among existing troop-contributing countries.
Amidst this backdrop, there are other regional dynamics at play, including a strained relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia over the latter’s recent agreements with the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland, which Somalia views as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
This has been exacerbated by ongoing tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, an infrastructure project that Ethiopia believes will enhance its power generation but which Egypt fears will diminish its own water resources.
As the anticipated deployment of the new African peacekeeping mission approaches, how these nations reconcile their interests and address their concerns will significantly impact the region’s stability and security moving forward.
