Somalia’s Tough Choices: Rebel Support or Diplomatic Embrace?
NAIROBI, Kenya – Somalia and Ethiopia have been navigating a venomous spat that, if left unchecked, could unleash chaos in the Horn of Africa, potentially allowing terrorist factions to slip through the cracks.
Somalia claims Ethiopia has overstepped its territorial bounds by striking a deal with Somaliland, a self-proclaimed autonomous region of Somalia. According to the agreement, Ethiopia secures 20 kilometers of Red Sea access to erect a military base and port, in exchange for recognizing Somaliland.
This prickly situation has thrown the region into turbulence, compelling Somalia to ink defense pacts with Turkey and Egypt. Notably, Egypt, already entangled in Nile water disputes with Ethiopia, has shipped arms to Somalia.
Somalia finds itself at a crossroads, dismissing diplomatic moves from Turkey, effectively trashing next month’s talks. Ethiopia, firm in its stance, refuses to scrap the deal as a dialogue prerequisite.
Both nations brace for any fallout. Somalia, hinting at military escalation, suggests it might back Ethiopian insurgents if Ethiopia proceeds with the agreement.
During a chat with Universal TV on September 12, Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Fiqi aired these grievances, inciting Ethiopian ire, a key security partner.
“Our option to engage with armed rebels fighting the Ethiopian regime is very much on the table if Ethiopia persists,” Fiqi noted.
Yet, he emphasized the situation hadn’t deteriorated to that point.
“We’re not there yet. We’re hopeful for a resolution. But supporting rebels could become our path if Ethiopia continues with their hostility and attempts to enforce this agreement,” he remarked.
When asked about potential contacts with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a long-time Ethiopian adversary, Fiqi hinted it might be an avenue, should Ethiopia’s actions persist.
“We’ve discussed it, but the collapse of Ethiopia isn’t in Somalia’s or the Horn of Africa’s interest. However, if they keep backing separatist groups and signing these deals, it’s a card we might play,” he added.
Following his comments, Ethiopia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Nebiyu Tedla, swiftly criticized Fiqi’s statements.
“It’s amusing to see Al-Shabaab agents posing as officials, spouting empty nationalism driven by narrow clan interests. This will only undo years of progress and plunge Somalia into chaos,” Tedla tweeted.
Military and rebel solutions are being pushed forward, leaving scant space for dialogue, as Somalia banks on Egyptian support. However, much of the global community urges diplomatic avenues be fully explored before any confrontation.
“We do not recognize the MoU between North Western of Somaliaand Ethiopia. Diplomacy is our route,” stated U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley.
“We won’t tolerate any threats to Somalia’s sovereignty,” asserted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has recently been wooing Somalia. Just last week, Somalia reiterated it won’t be a ‘pawn’ in proxy wars.
AXADLETM
