Addis Abeba — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has accused Ethiopia of “deliberately releasing water from reservoirs at dams upstream” to cause flooding in Somalia, escalating tensions between the two Horn of Africa international locations.
In an interview with The Economist on September 30 in Mogadishu, President Mohamud introduced photographs of flooded areas in Somalia, attributing the flooding to Ethiopia’s alleged actions.
The Somali president additionally alleged that Ethiopia is “funnelling arms to clan-based Somali militias” shut to their shared border. He expressed dispute that these weapons may perchance maybe “fall into the hands of al-Shabab,” the jihadist personnel full of life in Somalia.
Mohamud further accused Ethiopia of “mobilising clan leaders and opposition politicians in Somalia” towards the ability deployment of Egyptian troops. He suggested that if pushed, Somalia may perchance maybe “scratch the grievances” of ethnic Somalis living in Ethiopia.
The accusation adds to the complicated relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia, which has been strained since January when Ethiopia signed a memorandum of concept with Somaliland, a earn 22 situation Somalia considers portion of its territory.
Complicating the difficulty further, Egypt these days sent its 2nd defense pressure help shipment to Somalia, including heavy artillery and armored autos. This offer, portion of a defense pact signed between Egypt and Somalia in August 2024, has raised concerns in Ethiopia and Somaliland.