Diplomatic tensions in the Horn of Africa have reached a new height as Somaliland and Ethiopia find themselves at odds with Egypt over military deployments in Somalia, signaling a potential escalation of conflict in the region.
On August 29, 2024, Somaliland’s government condemned Egypt’s recent deployment of military forces in Somalia, warning that this move threatens the fragile peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. Somaliland’s press release emphasized that the introduction of foreign military forces into Somalia under any pretext could have catastrophic consequences, urging the international community to condemn Egypt’s actions. The statement also called on neighboring countries to reject foreign military presence that jeopardizes regional stability.
Adding to the complexities of the situation, the same day, Somaliland announced via social media that Ethiopia had appointed an ambassador, Teshome Shunde Hamito, to its consular office in Hargeisa. This appointment marks a significant development in Ethiopia-Somaliland relations, with President Muse Bihi Abdi receiving Ambassador Teshome’s credentials and discussing regional security, economic cooperation, and the strengthening of bilateral ties during their meeting. The Somaliland government indicated that Ethiopia had effectively upgraded its consular office in Hargeisa to the status of an embassy, though Ethiopian authorities have yet to officially confirm this change.
This diplomatic shift comes against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s concerns over the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to a new peace support mission. In a press statement issued on August 28, 2024, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed alarm over the regional instability and accused external actors, including Egypt, of actions that could destabilize the region. Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation closely, emphasizing that it could not stand idle while its national security was threatened.
The recent developments underscore a growing rift in the Horn of Africa, where competing interests and foreign interventions are raising the stakes. The situation is further complicated by the reported deployment of up to 10,000 Egyptian soldiers in Somalia, which has drawn strong reactions from both Somaliland and Ethiopia. Somaliland, in particular, has condemned the military buildup, vowing not to stand by as its peace and stability are put at risk.
As these tensions escalate, the Horn of Africa faces the real possibility of conflict, with regional powers asserting their positions amid an increasingly volatile security environment. The international community is now under pressure to respond to the unfolding crisis and seek diplomatic solutions to prevent further destabilization in this strategically important region.