Only a politics based on building unity and mutually beneficial cooperation can deliver on the potential of the Horn of Africa and its peoples. #africa #Egypt #Ethiopia

The dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt, which backs Somalia in its conflict with Ethiopia, is intensifying. The situation could escalate into a direct armed conflict. In January, Ethiopia reached an agreement with the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland regarding access to the port of Berbera on the Red Sea.

The ongoing dispute over Ethiopia's GERD dam could easily spill over to the Horn of Africa in light of two new deals that involve Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland. Could Turkish mediation avoid an escalation?

Mogadishu, Somalia — In an interview with Al Jazeera, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has accused Ethiopia of actively undermining Somalia’s sovereignty through a series of aggressive maneuvers, including an illegal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, an autonomous region in northern Somalia.

Cairo also issued a travel warning amidst security concerns which coincide with warming military ties with Mogadishu

Analysis: Egypt's growing military alliance with Mogadishu is causing alarm in Ethiopia, with fears Somalia could become the theatre for a proxy conflict.

There has been escalating tension between Ethiopia and Somalia ever since Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year with the breakaway Republic of Somaliland - which Somalia claims - for access to its ports.

An Egyptian warship has delivered significant weaponry to Somalia, escalating tensions with Ethiopia. This move follows Egypt and Somalia's growing alliance against Ethiopia's actions in the region, including a contested port deal with Somaliland.

Growing tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, heightened by arms shipments, risk destabilising the fragile Horn of Africa and creating opportunities for the Islamist insurgents of Al-Shabaab, experts say.

The dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt, which supports Somalia in its conflict with Ethiopia, is intensifying. The situation could escalate into a direct armed conflict. In January of this year, Ethiopia reached an agreement with the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland regarding access to the port of Berbera on the Red Sea.