The Somali government has issued a strong accusation against Ethiopia, claiming that the neighboring country has delivered an unauthorized shipment of arms and ammunition to Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia. In a statement released on Friday, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its outrage over the incident, alleging that two trucks loaded with weapons were transported through Ethiopian territory into Puntland without any prior diplomatic engagement or clearance from Somali authorities.
Somalia condemned the move as a severe violation of its sovereignty, warning of the potentially destabilizing impact on national and regional security. The ministry’s statement emphasized that such actions threaten Somalia’s ability to maintain control over its internal affairs and could lead to increased tensions in a region already plagued by conflict and insurgency. While the delivery’s exact timing was not disclosed, the Somali government’s response has been swift, labeling the shipment a dangerous breach of international diplomatic norms.
As of now, Ethiopia has not officially responded to the accusations. Attempts to reach Ethiopian officials for clarification have not been successful, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the incident. This silence has done little to ease the diplomatic tensions between the two nations, which have been on shaky ground since the start of the year.
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has become increasingly strained after Ethiopia signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia. The deal, signed earlier this year, grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline, giving the landlocked nation a strategic foothold along the coast. Somalia sees this agreement as an infringement on its territorial integrity, as it does not recognize Somaliland’s independence and views any such deal as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
In addition to the latest accusations, Somalia claimed that Ethiopia had previously flown weapons into Baidoa, a key city in Somalia’s southwest. The Somali government has repeatedly voiced concerns that Ethiopia’s actions represent a pattern of disregard for its territorial rights. The government demanded an immediate cessation of what it described as ongoing violations of its sovereignty, warning of long-term security consequences for the region.
This is not the first instance of cross-border arms smuggling involving Ethiopia. On July 16, Somali security forces intercepted two truckloads of weapons that had reportedly crossed the border from Ethiopia. The Somali government stated that, during the operation, some of the weapons ended up in the hands of armed militias after government forces came under attack. This incident highlighted the growing complexity of arms trafficking in the Horn of Africa, with illegal weapons potentially fueling conflicts and empowering insurgent groups in the region.
In a previous response to similar accusations, Ethiopia dismissed Somalia’s claims as “baseless,” arguing that the country has been at the forefront of efforts to stabilize Somalia, especially in its fight against Islamist insurgents. Ethiopian troops have been stationed in Somalia for years as part of a broader peacekeeping mission aimed at combating al-Shabaab, a militant group that has wreaked havoc across Somalia and beyond. Ethiopia has consistently portrayed itself as a key ally in maintaining regional peace, and its government has expressed concern over the increasing proliferation of illegal arms in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia has called for stronger regional cooperation to address the growing threat of arms trafficking, pointing to the region’s ongoing conflicts, poorly monitored coastal areas, and porous borders as key challenges. In a previous statement, Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to combating the trafficking of illegal weapons, as well as terrorism and other security threats, in collaboration with neighboring countries.
Efforts to resolve the diplomatic dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia have so far been inconclusive. Turkey, acting as a mediator, has facilitated two rounds of talks between the two nations, but neither round has yielded any tangible results. A third round of negotiations, which was scheduled to take place this week in Ankara, has been postponed due to both countries preparing for the United Nations General Assembly. Observers believe that the delayed talks could further escalate tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, prolonging the diplomatic rift and potentially complicating future peace efforts.
As the situation unfolds, regional analysts are watching closely to see how the two countries navigate this increasingly volatile situation. With arms trafficking, territorial disputes, and long-standing diplomatic grievances all at play, the resolution of this conflict will likely require greater international intervention and cooperation from neighboring nations. The stakes are high, as any further deterioration in relations could destabilize the region, affecting not just Somalia and Ethiopia but also the broader Horn of Africa.