Wednesday September 4, 2024
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland's Interior Minister Abdi Farah Said Juha has accused Egypt of leveraging Somalia in its long-standing dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile River. Juha claimed that Egypt is using Somalia as a strategic tool to protect its interests in the Nile, a vital water source for the country.
"Egypt has intervened in Somalia for its own benefit," Juha said. "They are fighting for the Nile, while Ethiopia is focused on securing its water access. But Egypt wants to turn us into a pawn in their broader struggle."
Juha went on to criticize Egypt's historical role in Somalia, accusing the country of undermining efforts to build a stable Somali government. He said that during past peace talks, Egypt was one of the nations that sided with warlords, complicating the path to stability.
"Egypt's agenda in Somalia is much bigger than simply offering help. Their presence here could bring serious risks," Juha warned.
The allegations come amid heightened tensions following a military cooperation agreement between Egypt and Somalia, which reportedly includes the deployment of up to 10,000 Egyptian soldiers to Somalia who will join the African Union's peacekeeping mission. The move, part of a defence deal signed in Cairo in August, has raised concerns in neighbouring Ethiopia, which views Egypt's presence in Somalia as a threat to its security.
The GERD, Africa's largest hydroelectric project, is at the heart of the tensions. The dam, built on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, is designed to provide electricity to millions of Ethiopians, but Egypt sees it as a potential threat to its water supply. Egypt relies on the Nile for 85% of its freshwater and fears that the dam could reduce water flow, affecting agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of Egyptians.
Since construction began in 2011, the GERD has been a point of contention between the two countries. Despite Egypt's objections, Ethiopia has already completed filling the dam's reservoir, further escalating the dispute.
Ethiopia's concerns over Egypt's presence in Somalia are tied to geopolitical dynamics. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has expressed frustration with Somalia's defence deal with Egypt, particularly as Ethiopia faces its own internal challenges, including conflicts in the Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia regions. Ethiopia, already in a bitter dispute with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), fears the military buildup could destabilize the region and increase the likelihood of conflict.
Somalia, however, remains firm in its decision. Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur dismissed Ethiopia's concerns, asserting that Somalia has the right to form alliances in its national interest.
Some experts worry that the combination of Egypt's military presence in Somalia and the ongoing dispute over the Nile could spark a low-scale interstate conflict. Dr. Hassan Khannenje, director of the Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies, has warned that tensions over the Nile could lead to clashes between Egyptian and Ethiopian forces, potentially drawing in other regional actors.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in the 1990s, has also voiced concerns about Egypt's growing military presence. Officials fear the involvement of external powers could further complicate efforts to maintain regional stability.