The Somali government has issued a sharp accusation against Ethiopia, alleging interference in its internal affairs by the neighboring country.
Somalia accuses it of training militias on Ethiopian soil and delivering unauthorized weapons to Somali territory.
Deputy Minister Abdirahman Al-Adalah of the Ministry of Internal Security raised these allegations during a press briefing, claiming that two Ethiopian Airlines flights carried arms to Kismayo, describing the action as “unacceptable.”
The minister further accused certain Somali individuals, including Jubbaland State Vice President Mohamud Sayid Aden, of collaborating with Ethiopia’s government to destabilize Somalia.
Labeling them as “renegades,” he issued a stern warning of consequences should such actions persist.
The claim that Ethiopian Airlines flights transported arms to Kismayo could severely damage the airline’s reputation if substantiated, as it is a national symbol of Ethiopia.
The accusation that Ethiopia is training Somali militias adds a layer of complexity to regional relations, particularly given the historical sensitivity surrounding Ethiopian involvement in Somalia.
The targeting of Mohamud Sayid Aden, Jubbaland’s Vice President, underscores the ongoing tension between Somalia and some of its regional states, highlighting divisions within Somalia’s political landscape.
These developments could heighten diplomatic strains between Somalia and Ethiopia, two countries with intertwined histories and mutual security concerns.
If proven true, these actions may lead to further international scrutiny of Ethiopia’s role in the Horn of Africa, and they could prompt Somalia to seek support from allies or regional organizations like the African Union.