Tensions are increasing in the Horn of Africa where a dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia over access to the Red Sea has brought Egypt and its military might into the frame. Facebook posts in Ethiopia are adding to the sabre-rattling by circulating videos in misleading contexts.

The deal sent shockwaves through the Horn of Africa and accelerated a diplomatic realignment that could impact the region’s geopolitics for decades. The details are a closely guarded secret, but Somaliland appeared to grant Ethiopia a lease on a 25-kilometre stretch of coastline to build a naval base in return for official recognition.

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

Ethiopia also has at least 3,000 soldiers stationed in Somalia as part of a peacekeeping initiative called the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which is working to suppress an armed uprising, while an estimated 5,000-7,000 soldiers are deployed in other regions under a bilateral agreement.

An Egyptian warship has delivered a second major cache of weaponry to Somalia including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, port

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.

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.