This piece, “Egypt’s Hidden Strategy to Undermine Somaliland’s Recognition,” by Eng. Abdi Ali Barkhad, arguing that Egypt is secretly working to prevent Somaliland from gaining international recognition.
Here’s a breakdown:
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Egypt’s Alleged Strategy: The author claims Egypt is lobbying countries like the US and Israel to oppose Somaliland’s recognition as a sovereign state.
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Egypt’s Motive: The core reason, according to the author, is to prevent Ethiopia from establishing a naval base or military presence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Egypt sees Somaliland’s potential cooperation with Ethiopia as a threat to its regional interests.
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Somaliland’s Perspective: The author emphasizes Somaliland’s stability and self-governance since 1991 and contrasts it with the instability in Somalia. He also points out that Somaliland’s relations with Egypt have deteriorated due to Somaliland’s close ties with Ethiopia, especially concerning the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
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Call to Action: The author urges allies like the US, EU, UAE, and Ethiopia to monitor Egypt’s activities and ensure Somaliland receives fair diplomatic treatment.
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Somaliland’s Position: The author asserts that Somaliland won’t be used as a base for hostility against Ethiopia and that its pursuit of recognition is for stability and regional cooperation.
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Conclusion: The author believes that efforts to block Somaliland’s recognition will ultimately fail because Somaliland’s stability, democratic governance, and strategic partnerships make its recognition essential for peace in the Horn of Africa. He argues that while Egypt’s actions might slow the process, they can’t stop Somaliland’s self-determination.
In essence, the article accuses Egypt of undermining Somaliland’s quest for recognition due to geopolitical concerns related to Ethiopia and the Red Sea region. The author advocates for Somaliland’s recognition, highlighting its stability and commitment to regional peace.
The complete piece is as follows:
Egypt’s Hidden Strategy to Undermine Somaliland’s Recognition
By Eng. Abdi Ali Barkhad
In recent months, credible indications have emerged that the Government of Egypt is actively engaging in a covert political campaign aimed at obstructing Somaliland’s quest for international recognition. Egypt has intensified its diplomatic activities, lobbying various nations, including the United States, Israel, and others, to oppose any move that would legitimize Somaliland as a sovereign state.
At the core of Egypt’s strategy lies a clear geopolitical objective: to prevent Ethiopia from securing a naval base or establishing any form of military presence in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, regions of profound strategic importance for global trade and regional stability. Cairo views Somaliland’s potential recognition and its cooperation with Ethiopia as a direct challenge to its geopolitical interests in the region.
Egypt has increasingly aligned itself with Villa Somalia, a government that struggles to administrate even parts of its own federal territory. In contrast, Somaliland remains a stable, self-governing nation, having reasserted its independence in 1991 after voluntarily joining and then withdrawing from a failed union with Somalia in 1960. Despite this, Somaliland continues to face diplomatic opposition from external actors who prioritize their own strategic calculations over the reality on the ground.
Relations between Somaliland and Egypt have been virtually nonexistent for decades. A year ago, the Egyptian office in Hargeisa was closed, and Egyptian educational staff were withdrawn. These decisions were triggered by Egypt’s realization that Somaliland maintains strong, strategic ties with Ethiopia, one of Egypt’s primary regional rivals, especially regarding issues such as the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Egypt’s intensified involvement in anti-recognition lobbying, we call upon our trusted allies, including the United States, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and other friendly nations, to closely monitor and understand the nature of Egypt’s activities in the region. Somaliland expects and deserves fair diplomatic treatment, free from the external pressures of states pursuing their own strategic agendas.
Egypt must understand clearly that Somaliland will not serve as a platform for hostility against Ethiopia, a nation with which we share deep historical, political, and economic ties. Our pursuit of recognition is rooted in justice, stability, and regional cooperation, not confrontation.
Somaliland’s commitment to peace, security, and partnership with the international community remains firm. Any attempt to undermine our rightful quest for recognition will only contribute to regional instability and undermine long-term peace efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Summary:
Attempts by Egypt or any other foreign actor to block Somaliland’s rightful recognition will ultimately fail. Somaliland’s stability, democratic governance, and strategic partnerships make its recognition not only justified but essential for peace in the Horn of Africa.
Egypt’s covert strategies may slow progress, but they cannot stop the will of a nation that has governed itself peacefully for more than 30 years.
