Somalia warns Ethiopia of its readiness to respond to military threats amid rising tensions surrounding Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland. Somalia’s Defence Minister emphasizes vigilance against Ethiopian aggressions, while Ethiopian officials assert Somali incapacity for military engagement. Both countries face potential conflict as Ethiopia seeks Red Sea access in exchange for recognizing Somaliland.
In a mounting display of defiance, Somalia has communicated its readiness to confront Ethiopia amid escalating tensions following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland. The Somali government, led by Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, has declared an unwavering stance against threats perceived from Addis Ababa, which it claims undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which pertains to access to the Red Sea, has been decried by Somalia as an intolerable act that dismisses its authority. The Somali Defence Minister emphasized the nation’s commitment to maintaining peaceful relations but warned that any aggressive actions from Ethiopia would encounter significant reprisals. He articulated the Somali leadership’s determination in the face of Ethiopian assertions that Somalia lacks the capacity to mount any military response. Notably, the Ethiopian military chief, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, described Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as ill-equipped for conflict, insisting that he must first stabilize Mogadishu before contemplating resistance against Ethiopia. In a counterpoint, Somalia has signaled intentions to back Ethiopian rebels to destabilize Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s fragile governance, prompting strong rhetoric from Jula, who underscored that Ethiopia has friends within Somalia prepared to oppose any such attempts. Furthermore, Ethiopia aims to establish a military foothold along the Red Sea through rent in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty, a move that Somalia has categorically rejected. The ongoing diplomatic strain signals a deepening rift between the two neighboring nations, setting the stage for potential military confrontations unless diplomatic avenues are explored effectively.
The current tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia are rooted in territorial disputes and regional sovereignty, particularly highlighted by Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland—an autonomous region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received international recognition. The agreement allows Ethiopia to gain access to the Red Sea while Somalia views it as a direct challenge to its sovereignty and control over its international relations. In recent years, relations between the two countries have been tested by a backdrop of political instability, military transactions, and civilian unrest, showcasing the delicate balance of power within the Horn of Africa region.
The escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia underscore significant regional challenges concerning sovereignty and military readiness. Somalia’s proclamation of readiness signals a willingness to confront perceived threats, while Ethiopia’s strategic maneuvers attempt to assert influence in the Horn of Africa. As both nations navigate this fraught geopolitical landscape, the potential for conflict remains heightened unless effective diplomatic discourse prevails.
Original Source: garoweonline.com
