NEW YORK, United States (KAAB TV) – Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Taye Atske-Selassie, has raised concerns over recent arms shipments to Somalia, warning that they could “further exacerbate the fragile security” in the region.
Speaking during a meeting with UN Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, Minister Taye cautioned that the “supply of ammunition by external forces would further exacerbate the fragile security and would end up in the hands of terrorists.”
His remarks follow the arrival of a significant Egyptian weapons shipment in Mogadishu, which included heavy artillery, anti-tank weapons, and armored vehicles.
The shipment, described as the largest since the UN lifted its arms embargo on Somalia in December 2023, is part of a bilateral defense pact signed between Egypt and Somalia in August 2024.
Despite growing concerns that the weapons could fall into the hands of clan militias and terrorist groups, Somali government officials in Mogadishu have remained silent on the matter.
Meanwhile, the government of Somaliland expressed alarm over the arms transfer. In a statement, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are deeply alarmed by the transfer of these weapons, particularly as the Mogadishu administration lacks the capacity to effectively manage or safeguard such a significant military cache.”
This military aid comes at a time of heightened regional tension. Last month, reports surfaced that Egypt had begun deploying military officers and equipment to Mogadishu, with plans to station up to 10,000 soldiers in Somalia.
This growing military cooperation between Egypt and Somalia follows Ethiopia’s recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland on port access, further complicating relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.