Ethiopia has expressed growing unease over Egypt’s upcoming deployment of more than 1,000 troops to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), warning that the move could destabilize the region and strain already tense relations between Addis Ababa and Cairo.
Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, Ethiopia’s military chief, told parliament that “the threat” coming from the Egyptian presence is “real”, as it “raises serious concerns for Ethiopia’s stability,” citing Egypt’s recent military pact with Somalia, which also includes bilateral deployments and weapons transfers. Ethiopia currently contributes 2,500 troops to AUSSOM and maintains a separate force in Somalia under a bilateral agreement. Officials in Addis Ababa view Egypt’s deployment as part of a broader strategy to encircle or undermine Ethiopia amid unresolved disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia sees it as a sovereign development project, while Egypt views the dam as a threat to its water supply.
Ambassador Sulaiman Dedefo, Ethiopia’s envoy to Somalia, dismissed Egypt’s peacekeeping credentials, arguing Cairo’s involvement in Somalia would bring little long-term value. He also warned against any interference with Ethiopian operations. The Somali government, however, has welcomed the Egyptian forces, citing their training success and commitment to counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab. Egypt’s deployment comes months after Ethiopia signed a contentious Red Sea access deal with Somaliland — an agreement Somalia views as a breach of sovereignty. Analysts warn that missteps in Somalia could quickly escalate into broader regional tensions.