Mogadishu, Somalia – Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, has sharply criticized the Arab League, accusing the regional bloc of being manipulated by Egypt to pursue policies hostile to Ethiopia.
In a strongly worded statement, Ambassador Dedefo questioned the legitimacy and priorities of the Arab League, suggesting it has become a political tool rather than a unifying platform for Arab nations.
“Is the Arab League really a League of Arab Nations, or the League for the execution of Egypt’s anti-Ethiopian policy?” he asked, adding that the organization routinely overlooks the crises facing its own member states.
The envoy highlighted what he described as hypocrisy, noting that many Arab League members are grappling with collapse, insecurity, and mass displacement caused by conflict and famine.
“Why doesn’t it discuss the issues of its member nations that are in the process of failing or have already failed, and whose peoples are suffering from insecurity, instability, displacement, and hunger caused by war?” he said.
The remarks come amid mounting tensions between Addis Ababa and Cairo, primarily over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River, a project that Egypt sees as an existential threat to its water security. Ethiopia, on the other hand, maintains that the dam is a sovereign development project essential for its electrification and economic growth.
The Arab League has repeatedly backed Egypt’s position in disputes with Ethiopia, most recently issuing statements critical of Ethiopia’s management of the GERD. Ambassador Dedefo’s comments reflect Addis Ababa’s growing frustration with what it views as external interference aligned against its interests.
The timing of the envoy’s statement is also significant, as Somalia—where he is stationed—maintains close ties with both the Arab League and Ethiopia. Mogadishu’s delicate balancing act between its Arab partners and its powerful neighbor to the west underscores the broader regional implications of the rift.
Analysts suggest Dedefo’s sharp rebuke signals that Ethiopia is unwilling to allow the Arab League’s positions, shaped largely by Egypt, to go unchallenged. The criticism could further strain diplomatic relations in a region already facing multiple security and humanitarian crises.