Ethiopia-North Western State of Somalia Agreement Overshadows African Defense Ministers’ Summit
Mogadishu (AX) — Marking its initiation into hosting major defense discussions, Ethiopia is holding its inaugural African Defense Ministers’ Conference in Addis Ababa, a crucial gathering during a tumultuous period for the continent. Kicking off on Tuesday, the event unfolds at the historic Adwa Victory Memorial Museum under the theme “Africa: United in Peace, Strong in Security.” Orchestrated by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense, the conference draws military heads from the length and breadth of Africa to deliberate on terrorism, cybersecurity, and regional turmoil.
Ethiopian Defense Minister Engineer Aisha Mohammed, spotlighted the critical nature of cooperation in tackling shared security issues across the continent. “For us to embrace peace and ensure global security,” she declared, “Africa’s unity is paramount.” Yet, this call for solidarity faces challenges with rising unrest in the Horn of Africa.
The backdrop of the meeting is marred by growing discord between Ethiopia and Somalia, stemming from Ethiopia’s contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North Western State of Somalia in early 2024. The agreement grants Ethiopia maritime and commercial privileges along North Western State of Somalia’s coast. In return, Ethiopia is set to acknowledge North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty, a move that incited fury in Somalia, as North Western State of Somalia is regarded as a breakaway region.
The friction from this agreement has catalyzed a shuffle in regional allegiances. Ethiopia’s regional aspirations have sown seeds of discord, particularly with Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt forming a budding triad against Ethiopian maneuvers.
Egypt, notably, has vocally decried Ethiopia’s ambitions, interpreting them as part of the larger contest over dominion of the Nile River and regional resources. Moreover, Egypt and Somalia have inked a military cooperation pact, with weaponry already making its way to Mogadishu.
The assembly is populated by a diverse gathering of African defense ministers, military pundits, and high-rank officials, such as Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Dialogue panels will delve into topics of enhancing operational capacities, sharing technological advancements, and fostering collaborative military ventures aimed at mitigating both continental and global security threats.
Additionally, the African Union, an active participant in the discussions, emphasizes Africa’s pivotal contribution to global peacekeeping. Historically, Ethiopia has been a formidable player in peacekeeping missions across Africa, including Somalia. However, Ethiopia’s prospective role in future Somali peacekeeping remains hazy as Somalia now pushes to exclude Ethiopian forces from the forthcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), favoring Egyptian contingents instead.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
