Somalia has accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty through alleged illegal arms shipments into Jubbaland, warning these actions threaten regional stability and ongoing peace talks in Türkiye.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Mohamud Fiqi stated that two Ethiopian Airlines planes landed in Kismayo on December 7, reportedly carrying unauthorized weapons in breach of Somali and international laws. He emphasized that such activities undermine trust between nations and contravene principles of good neighborliness.
The Somali government claimed Ethiopia has been smuggling arms into multiple regions, including Puntland and Galmudug, aggravating internal tensions. This, Fiqi argued, reflects a broader strategy by Ethiopia to exert influence over Somali affairs, which he described as part of a historical pattern of regional interference.
These developments have reportedly disrupted peace negotiations facilitated by Türkiye in Ankara and raised concerns over the effectiveness of the African Union’s stabilization mission in Somalia. Somali authorities have called on international partners to pressure Ethiopia to halt its alleged military activities in Somali territories and respect sovereignty and international law.