Egypt Deploys Troops, Weapons in Somalia, Raising Tensions in the Horn of Africa

 

Egypt Deploys Troops, Weapons in Somalia, Raising Tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Egypt is reportedly sending 10,000 troops to Somalia, in a move that signals a potential major escalation in the Horn of Africa. On August 29, two Egyptian military planes carrying weapons and ammunition landed at Mogadishu airport as a part of Egypt’s planned deployment to a new peacekeeping mission — itself the consequence of a security pact signed in August 2024 between the two countries.

Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia are at an unprecedented high over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. Since construction began in 2011, Egypt has viewed the dam as a direct threat to its water supply. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, including a 2019 U.S.-brokered effort, the parties have failed to reach a lasting agreement.

Earlier this year, Ethiopia signed a preliminary agreement with the breakaway republic of Somaliland to lease land in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence from Somalia. This move has strained relations between Ethiopia and the Somali government in Mogadishu, which called the deal a violation of its sovereignty. As a result, Egypt and Somalia have drawn closer, positioning Egypt as a strategic ally in Somalia’s confrontation with Ethiopia.