Egypt: Tensions Escalate As Egypt Backs Somalia, Sparking Ethiopian Concerns

The tension between Ethiopia and Egypt appears to have escalated as Cairo extends support to Somalia’s peace mission and an offer of security personnel to replace the African Union-backed force, whose mandate is nearing its end.

The prospect of Egyptian troops in close proximity has raised concerns in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa’s foreign ministry issued a statement declaring that the country “cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilise the region.”

Since 2007, Somalia’s…