In response to Ethiopia’s plans, Somalia signed a major military deal with Egypt in August, while Cairo pledged troops for a new African Union mission against al-Shabab. For years, Egypt and Ethiopia have been in dispute over Addis Ababa’s construction of a vast hydroelectric dam on the Nile River.

The heads of state of Egypt and Somalia flew into Asmara this week at the invitation of President Isaias Afwerki amid rising regional tensions. In a joint statement released on October 10, 2024, the three leaders vowed to provide all forms of support to Somali security forces and protect Somalia’s sovereignty.

It was then that Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a “declaration of peace and friendship” with Eritrea. The agreement won him the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. But ties between the Horn of Africa neighbours again deteriorated following the end of the two-year civil war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, which borders Eritrea.