Ethiopia warns against invasion amid rising regional tensions
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has issued a stern warning to any nation considering an invasion of his country, stating that such an attack would be decisively repelled. Though he did not name any specific country, his comments come amidst growing tensions with neighboring Somalia and Egypt.
Somalia has condemned a maritime agreement signed in January between Ethiopia and the self-declared republic of Somaliland, labeling it as an act of “aggression.” In response, Somalia has strengthened its military ties with Egypt. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia over 30 years ago, is still considered part of Somalia by the Mogadishu government.
Meanwhile, Egypt is engaged in a long-standing dispute with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on a Nile tributary. Egypt is reportedly planning to deploy troops to Somalia following a recent military pact between the two governments.
In a televised address marking Ethiopia’s Sovereignty Day, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that while Ethiopia does not seek conflict, the nation is prepared to defend itself against any aggression. He warned, “Anyone intending to invade Ethiopia should think not just once but 10 times, because one great thing we Ethiopians know is how to defend ourselves.”
The tensions have been further exacerbated by Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland to gain access to a port, a move that has angered Somalia. Somaliland has also indicated that it may lease part of its coast to Ethiopia’s navy in exchange for recognition as an independent state.
The regional situation intensified last month when two Egyptian C-130 military planes arrived in Somalia’s capital, marking closer ties between the two nations. Egypt reportedly plans to send up to 5,000 soldiers to join a revamped African Union (AU) force in Somalia by the end of the year, with another 5,000 to be deployed separately.
The AU force, including Ethiopian troops, has been in Somalia since 2007 to help combat the jihadist group al-Shabab. However, Somalia has announced that Ethiopian troops will need to withdraw next year.
Egypt has accused Ethiopia of jeopardizing its water supply from the Nile following the construction of the GERD, which is the largest hydroelectric dam project in Africa and crucial to Ethiopia’s energy needs.
Credit: BBC
