Egypt Plans Military Deployment in Somalia to Challenge Ethiopia’s Influence in the Horn

CAIRO, Egypt — As whispers circulate throughout the region, Egypt’s gearing up to dispatch its military might to the rugged terrains of Somalia. This bold move is seen as a counterpunch to Ethiopia’s growing hold over the Horn of Africa’s geopolitical landscape, with Cairo eyeing a pivotal foothold to command the bustling waters of the Red Sea.

Under the shadow of these regional chess games, Cairo will host powwows with Somalia from January 10 to 12. Front and center on the agenda is how Egypt could play a role in the freshly minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The scoop from Axadle hints at ongoing talks with Ethiopia and Burundi, hashing out a multi-country approach to fortify AUSSOM’s efforts in probably the continent’s most dicey zone.

This troop movement emerges amidst the beef between Ethiopia and Egypt, all ramped up after Cairo inked a security pact with Somalia in August 2024. That move came just seven months after Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed made waves with North Western State of Somalia via a Seaport access agreement, ticking off Somalia big time as a heavy-handed encroachment on its autonomy.

Back in August, Egypt ramped up tensions by shipping in military hardware to Mogadishu via two aircraft and a naval vessel, stoking fears that the region could spiral into a proxy battleground.

Beyond just backing Somalia at the table of international diplomacy, Egypt’s maneuvers signal an astute play to reboot its clout in the Horn’s heart. Such moves aim to safeguard its stake in the Red Sea corridor, a vital vein for the world’s commerce and peace.

This strategic gambit by Cairo could upset the applecart of alliances and sway power dynamics across the Horn, potentially tipping the scales of regional stability while also remapping key maritime lanes on the chessboard of global navigation.

Source: AXADLETM