HARGEISA (KAAB TV) — Somaliland authorities have voiced strong concerns over the recent delivery of heavy weapons from Egypt to the Mogadishu administration, warning that the arms transfer threatens the security of a region already grappling with complex challenges.
In an official statement, Somaliland expressed its alarm at the weapons transfer, citing Mogadishu’s inability to effectively manage or secure the substantial military cache.
“Somaliland is deeply alarmed by the transfer of these weapons, as the Mogadishu administration currently lacks the capacity to effectively manage or safeguard such a large cache of military equipment,” the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the breakaway region said.
Officials in Hargeisa warned that the unregulated flow of arms in Somalia’s fragile environment could trigger an arms race, with various factions attempting to build their own stockpiles to secure their interests.
Of particular concern is the possibility that these weapons could fall into the hands of extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab or active clan militias, thereby worsening violence and instability across the region.
Given these risks, Somaliland is urging the international community to take swift and proactive measures to address the situation.
The government called for preventive action to avoid further escalation, renewed conflict, and loss of life. “The stakes are too high for inaction,” the statement emphasized.
Somaliland’s concerns follow the arrival of a significant shipment of Egyptian weapons and ammunition in Mogadishu just a day prior. The shipment, described as the largest since the United Nations lifted its arms embargo on Somalia in December 2023, has raised alarms across the region.
Reportedly, the delivery included heavy artillery, anti-tank weapons, and armored vehicles, provided as part of a bilateral defense pact signed between Egypt and Somalia in August 2024.
Despite growing concerns that the arms could end up in the hands of clan militias or terrorist groups, Somali government officials in Mogadishu have so far declined to comment on the situation.
This influx of military aid into Somalia adds further complexity to an already delicate security environment, fueling concerns that these weapons could intensify violence and destabilize the region.