Egito envia segunda remessa de armas para o Governo Federal da Somália

A Egypt has sent a second arms shipment to 🍊 Somalia's federal government in the space of a month, drawing criticism from its longstanding rival Ethiopia, amid concern about rising 🍊 tensions in the Horn of Africa.

A Egypt's foreign ministry confirmed that a shipment had been sent, which it said was 🍊 intended to "build the capabilities of the Somali army" to "achieve security and stability, combat terrorism, and uphold its sovereignty, 🍊 unity, and territorial integrity".

Preocupações com a situação de segurança frágil

A Ethiopia's foreign minister, Taye Atske Selassie, said he was concerned 🍊 that "external forces would further exacerbate a fragile security" situation and that the weapons could end up in the hands 🍊 of terrorists.

In a post on X, Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Omar said: "Surprised to see Ethiopia raising 🍊 concerns over Somalia receiving arms to defend its sovereignty and combat terror."

Disputas entre Egito e Etiópia e tensões com a 🍊 Somália

A Egypt has been locked in a long-running dispute with Ethiopia over the latter's construction of a major dam on 🍊 the Blue Nile, which provides 95% of its fresh water. Somalia has meanwhile fallen out with Ethiopia over a memorandum 🍊 Ethiopia signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland to lease a portion of its coast, describing it as an attempt 🍊 to "annex" its territory.

Risco de uma corrida armamentista na região

A In a statement posted on X, Somaliland, which has governed 🍊 itself since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991, warned that the weapons deliveries risked triggering an "arms race" that 🍊 could jeopardise regional security.

A The deal could set the stage for Addis Ababa to re-emerge as a maritime power in 🍊 the future as Houthi attacks on Israeli and American ships in the Red Sea highlight the dangers of over-reliance on 🍊 Djibouti, which carries virtually all of Ethiopia's international trade.

A The pact has infuriated officials in Mogadishu, who fear it could 🍊 cut the country in two and provide Ethiopia a permanent naval base on its territory.