Link to article: https://allafrica.com/stories/202509080736.html
Somalia and Egypt have completed plans for an Egyptian troop deployment in Somalia. This deployment of troops is said to be to combat terrorist groups such as al-Shabaab, however, the specificities of this deployment are not yet fully confirmed. This movement from Egypt is also to gain more strategic positions in relation to the Red Sea. Along with a better position on the Red Sea, it is also likely that this is a threat to neighboring Ethiopia over the GERD dam, which has been a contention between Egypt and Ethiopia for a long time now. How regional actors will react to Somalia and Egypt’s partnership is not yet known.
Egypt is clearly using this for multiple purposes, the main purpose is to gain a strategic position in the region so they can act if needed. Of course having more access to the Red sea is a major advantage, but having a different side to possibly attack Ethiopia from is even better. Not only do they have more options strategically, but they have made an ally in Somalia for helping to fight off their internal issues. This new ally in Somalia will only make an even scarier prospect for Ethiopia to continue antagonizing Egypt. It is likely Ethiopia will either stand its ground or capitulate to Egypt’s demands, the former could lead to conflict. Ethiopia conceding and returning to talks is most likely Egypt’s main goal in this operation, creating more restrictions on the use of the GERD dam.
This relates to our discussion in class around the Arab league IGO. Both Somalia and Egypt are members of the Arab League which share in political and military goals, explaining the ease of action in this movement. This mutually benefits all of the involved actors and raises each other up over competitors.