Egypt has issued a critical advisory calling on its citizens to leave Somaliland, a self-declared autonomous region of Somalia, as soon as possible due to deteriorating security conditions. In a statement released by the Egyptian Embassy in Somalia, Egyptians were strongly advised to avoid traveling to Somaliland, and those already in the region were urged to evacuate using Hargeisa airport. The embassy cited the growing instability as a serious impediment to providing consular services to Egyptians in the region.
The advisory comes on the heels of escalating tensions between Somaliland’s government and external actors, notably after Somaliland ordered the closure of the Egyptian library located in its capital, Hargeisa, and demanded that the staff leave immediately. This action has strained relations, with Egyptian officials stressing the importance of citizens adhering to the advisory for their safety.
Operating independently since its declaration of secession from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has yet to receive formal international recognition but maintains its own political, security, and administrative structures separate from the central Somali government. Recent developments, however, have further complicated the situation in the region.
Tensions in the Horn of Africa have spiked following Ethiopia’s signing of a controversial memorandum of understanding with Somaliland on January 1, 2024. This agreement allows for the establishment of an Ethiopian military base and includes a 50-year lease for Ethiopia on the strategic port of Berbera, which overlooks the Red Sea. The deal has drawn opposition from Arab nations, many of whom view it as a threat to regional stability and a challenge to their interests in the Red Sea corridor.
Egypt, already embroiled in a diplomatic dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project on the Nile River, has strongly opposed the agreement. The tension between Egypt and Ethiopia, particularly regarding water rights and regional influence, adds another layer of complexity to the situation in Somaliland.
In August, Egypt further demonstrated its involvement in Somalia by signing a military cooperation protocol with the Somali federal government, pledging support for Somalia’s sovereignty and explicitly rejecting any foreign interference in its internal affairs. This move has reinforced Egypt’s position in the region, aiming to strengthen ties with the Somali central government while expressing opposition to Ethiopia’s expanding influence in Somaliland.
Additionally, there have been reports from Somali media outlets indicating that Egyptian troops may have recently arrived in Mogadishu as part of international peacekeeping forces, though Egyptian authorities have yet to confirm these reports. The presence of Egyptian forces in Somalia, if verified, could heighten concerns in Addis Ababa, which is already wary of Egypt’s military and political maneuvers in the region.
These developments underscore the growing geopolitical rivalry in the Horn of Africa, where regional powers such as Egypt, Ethiopia, and Arab states are increasingly competing for influence. With Egypt’s strong opposition to the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement and its deepening involvement in Somalia, the situation remains tense, with potential broader implications for regional security.