Ethiopia has strongly denied accusations by Somalia’s federal government, which claimed Ethiopian forces attacked three Somali National Army (SNA) bases in Doolow, near the shared border. The allegations were made in a statement issued by Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 23, 2024, prompting a swift response from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAE) the following day.
In its statement, Ethiopia dismissed the claims as “unfounded” and instead attributed the incident to what it described as “third parties” with vested interests in destabilizing the region and undermining improving relations between the two countries. “The incident is instigated by certain elements intent on derailing the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. These third parties are perennial spoilers of peace in the Horn of Africa,” the MFAE noted, reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to peace and stability as outlined in the Ankara Declaration signed earlier this month.
The MFAE expressed dismay at Somalia’s public accusations, emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation. The Ethiopian government, however, did not specify the identities of the alleged “third parties” nor provide details on the alleged attack’s scale, damage, or casualties.
Somalia’s narrative, however, contrasts sharply with Ethiopia’s position. In its official statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly blamed Ethiopian forces for the incident, with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar raising the issue during a meeting in Addis Ababa on December 24 with Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arega. During the meeting, Somalia protested the incident and demanded accountability.
Despite the tension, Ethiopia assured Somalia of its readiness to launch an investigation into the matter. “His counterpart [Mesganu Arega] expressed the Ethiopian government’s readiness to launch an immediate investigation and affirmed their willingness to work with the Federal Government of Somalia to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Somalia’s statement noted.
The allegations come at a delicate time for Ethiopia-Somalia relations, which have been strained for over a year. A key flashpoint has been Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, a self-declared independent state that broke away from Somalia in 1991. The deal has sparked tensions with Mogadishu, which views Somaliland as part of its territory.
The Ankara Declaration, signed on December 11, 2024, was expected to mark a turning point in relations, fostering collaboration and reducing hostilities. The recent allegations, however, threaten to undo progress.
Adding complexity to the situation are Somalia’s deepening ties with Egypt, another key player in the region. Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, met with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in Cairo on December 23 to discuss security in the Horn of Africa. Earlier this year, Egypt and Somalia signed a military cooperation agreement, with Egypt planning to deploy 10,000 troops to Somalia under a bilateral arrangement and as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission.
The alleged attack in Doolow has raised concerns over external influences and the broader implications for regional stability. Analysts have warned that unresolved tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia could exacerbate insecurity in the Horn of Africa, where rivalries among regional and international actors continue to shape the political landscape.
Both Ethiopia and Somalia have indicated their commitment to resolving the issue through dialogue and investigation, but the path forward remains fraught with challenges. As the region grapples with complex geopolitical dynamics, the incident underscores the importance of fostering mutual trust and cooperation to ensure lasting peace.
