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Egypt Delivers Heavy Artillery to Somalia in Largest Military Aid Shipment Post-Embargo
[ShabelleMedia] A military fat merchantman said to be from Egypt docked at Mogadishu’s port on Sunday, delivering what officials describe as the largest shipment of heavy artillery and anti-tank weapons to Somalia since the United Nations...an organization originally established to war on dictatorships which was promptly infiltrated by dictatorships and is now held in thrall to dictatorships... lifted its arms embargo in December 2023. This significant military aid, part of a broader defense pact between Egypt and Somalia, underscores Cairo’s deepening military engagement in the Horn of Africa amidst escalating regional tensions. The shipment, which included field guns and armored personnel carriers, was offloaded under tight security, with the port temporarily closed to commercial traffic to facilitate the transfer. This move follows a series of high-level diplomatic exchanges, culminating in a defense agreement aimed at enhancing Somalia’s defense capabilities against internal threats like al-Shabaab ... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord... and potentially positioning Egypt strategically against the backdrop of its disputes with Æthiopia, particularly over the Grand Æthiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Egypt’s military aid to Somalia is not only a response to Somalia’s need for military hardware to combat insurgency but also reflects Cairo’s strategic interests in countering Æthiopia’s influence in the region. Æthiopia, which has been a key player in Somalia’s security landscape, has expressed concerns over the military buildup, viewing it as a potential destabilizing factor in the Horn of Africa. Somalia’s Defense Minister, in a statement, emphasized the country’s sovereign right to determine its alliances, suggesting that the military aid from Egypt is part of Somalia’s broader strategy to independently secure its national interests. This comes at a time when Somalia has been navigating complex regional dynamics, including disputes over Æthiopia’s agreement with Somaliland  ...Republic of Somaliland is an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, recognised internationally as a de jure part of Somalia. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden with approximately 5.7 million residents as of 2021. The capital and largest city is Hargeisa. The government regards itself as the successor state to British Somaliland, which united from 1960 to 1991 with the Trust Territory of Somaliland (the former Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic. Under the Siad Barre regime, Somaliadestroyed ninety percent of Hargeisa Per international law, once you're in, you gotta stay in, no matter how bad it smells...., which has raised alarms in Mogadishu over territorial integrity. The deployment of Egyptian military personnel and equipment to Somalia, as observed in recent weeks, signals a significant shift in the regional power dynamics. While Egypt aims to bolster its strategic position, potentially as a counterbalance to Æthiopia’s regional maneuvers, the move has raised eyebrows among regional analysts who fear an escalation in tensions. Æthiopia, through its diplomatic channels, has indicated that it will not stand by while external actors, like Egypt, potentially destabilize the region. The Æthiopian government has highlighted its historical role in Somalia’s stability, particularly in combating terrorism, and warned against actions that could lead to conflict. This development marks a pivotal moment in the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa, where historical rivalries, resource conflicts, and security concerns intersect. The influx of Egyptian military aid into Somalia could either stabilize the region by strengthening Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab or exacerbate existing tensions, depending on how regional actors perceive and react to this strategic shift. As of now, the international community, including the African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... , is closely monitoring the situation, advocating for dialogue and de-escalation to prevent any unintended consequences from this military aid transfer. Posted by: trailing wife 2024-09-25 |
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