Friday August 30, 2024
FILE - Egyptian military forces parade with armored vehicles during a national event in Cairo. (Shutterstock)
Hargeisa (HOL) — The Somaliland government has issued a stern condemnation of Egypt's recent deployment of military forces in Somalia, warning that the move could destabilize the entire Horn of Africa and undermine regional peace.
The arrival of Egyptian troops in Somalia is part of a military cooperation pact signed earlier this month between Somalia and Egypt. The agreement includes the delivery of arms and ammunition to Somalia, as well as training support for Somali forces.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Somaliland government expressed deep concern over the introduction of Egyptian troops into Somalia.
"The Republic of Somaliland finds this development to be deeply troubling," the statement reads. "The introduction of foreign military forces into neighbouring Somalia under any pretext risks destabilizing the region, undermining peace efforts, and escalating tensions with potentially catastrophic consequences."
The government further called on neighbouring countries to reject any foreign military presence in the region that could jeopardize the security of their people.
"As a sovereign and democratic nation in the Horn of Africa, we, alongside our neighbouring countries, categorically reject any foreign military presence that threatens the stability and security of our people," the statement asserted.
Somaliland called upon the international community to take immediate action.
"We call upon the international community to urgently condemn this potentially dangerous move by Egypt," the statement continued. "It is imperative that all responsible nations act swiftly to promote diplomatic solutions that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations in the Horn of Africa."
Ethiopia has also accused Somalia of "colluding with external actors" to destabilize the region, following Somalia's refusal to include Ethiopian troops in the upcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia's rejection of Ethiopian involvement stems from Ethiopia's memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, which grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometres of the Red Sea coastline. The MoU, which Somalia sees as an infringement on its territorial integrity, has further strained relations between the two nations.