Ethiopian Naval Base in Somaliland: Strategically Important for Regional Security
The geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa has witnessed a transformative development with Somaliland and Ethiopia’s announcement of a potential Ethiopian naval base in Somaliland. This strategic move is not only aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Gulf of Aden but also addressing broader Continue reading “Ethiopian Naval Base in Somaliland: Strategically Important for Regional Security”
Implications of US Retreat from the Sahel
As America’s global rivalry with Russia and China intensifies, its ability to project military, diplomatic and economic influence in Africa faces mounting challenges. Continue reading “Implications of US Retreat from the Sahel”
SLPA’s Forum in Atlanta: The Greatest Showcase on Somaliland Ever
Dear SLPA community, Continue reading “SLPA’s Forum in Atlanta: The Greatest Showcase on Somaliland Ever”
Sudan Remains Committed to Russia’s Naval Base in the Red Sea
Somaliland’s strategic location in the Horn of Africa is highly desirable to Western democracies, and Sudan’s offer of a naval base to Russia strengthens this desire. Continue reading “Sudan Remains Committed to Russia’s Naval Base in the Red Sea”
Somaliland’s MoU with Ethiopia is Widely Supported
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland that granted the former access to the Gulf of Aden, adjacent to the Red Sea, has sparked significant discussions among scholars and policymakers. Continue reading “Somaliland’s MoU with Ethiopia is Widely Supported”
An Accurate Depiction of Somalia Emerged from Kenya President’s Remarks During His State Visit to US
Kenyan President William Ruto warned of the dire repercussions should the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) remove its troops during his recent visit to the United States. He underlined that Al-Shabaab will probably seize control of Somalia in the event of an ATMIS pullout. Continue reading “An Accurate Depiction of Somalia Emerged from Kenya President’s Remarks During His State Visit to US”
Africa Can’t Prosper Without Regional Trade
Strengthening the trade between African countries is a necessary first step toward equipping the continent to engage with the world economy on its own terms. For too long, Africa has been trading with others on terms that ensure its place at the bottom of the global value chain. Continue reading “Africa Needs Regional Trade Hubs to Succeed”
The Islamic State’s Growth in Puntland: Somalia’s Paramilitary
In a significant development, the Islamic State (IS) offshoot in Somalia announced in April 2024 that it had successfully expanded its presence in the Bari region of Puntland state in northeastern Somalia. IS took Continue reading “The Islamic State’s Growth in Puntland: Somalia’s Paramilitary”
UAE Calls Off Its Military Engagement with Somalia
After shipping back all of its military hardware from the two camps in Mogadishu where U.A.E. commanders were training the Somali army, the government of the United Arab Emirates has terminated its military engagement with that country.
The two governments of Somalia and the United Arab Emirates signed a military agreement in Abu Dhabi in January 2024. As per the terms of the deal, Somalia would get military training from the U.A.E., and both sides would cooperate in the fight against terrorism and pirates.
Although the implementation of this project was started immediately, it came to a halt shortly afterwards when it was discovered that there was widespread corruption in the salaries and supplies intended for the military trainees.
The murder of five Emirates commanders who were leading the military training in those camps in Mogadishu in February 2024 has had a detrimental impact on the two nations’ relationship. Three of those officers were nationals of United Arab Emirates.
When it became apparent that the humanitarian rations were being sold in the marketplaces, the US government itself halted food supplies to the Danab brigade of the Somali National Army in April 2024, which was under its training. It is said that Somalia has the world’s most corrupt government and is a failing state.
Given that the United Arab Emirates has decided against rebuilding the Somali army, on the other hand, Qatar is forging a military engagement with Ethiopia at a time that Ethiopia and Somalia are at odds politically because of Ethiopia’s signing of the Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding at the start of the year.
A delegation led by Qatar’s Military Attaché to Ethiopia, Brigadier General Mohammed Ali Al Hajri met on Tuesday and discussed with Brigadier General Kebede Regasa, Ethiopian Defense University Commander, various issues including enhancing cooperation in military technology excellence between the two countries, according to Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF).
During a visit to the Ethiopian Defense University, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al Hajri saw the military academic activities being carried out by the university, including study and research areas, and commented that the activities were vital in increasing the country’s future modern military technological excellence in various military fields, according to ENDF’s readout of the event.
The Commander further explained that by fostering a close relationship between t hi hihe two countries, it was possible to create links in the military educational institutions in many areas of military technology, training, study, and research, among other fields.
Brig. Gen. Kebede on his part highlighted that it was necessary to coordinate and make use of the experiences gained in the educational fields of the military institutions in Ethiopia and Qatar to ensure the effective use of common military technology and further consolidate the multi-faceted relations that already exist between the two countries.
He expressed his belief that the Ethiopian Defense University will further expand cooperation with the military educational institutions of Qatar in all military educational fields including research to use common experiences in the area.
In March this year, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, met with Ethiopia’s senior defense officials led by Defense Minister Abraham and General Abebaw Tadesse, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Ethiopian armed forces, and discussed bolstering military relations between the two countries. The meeting, which was also attended by Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al Hajri, took place on the sidelines of the 8th Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) and addressed topics of mutual interest aimed at enhancing strategic military alignments between Ethiopia and Qatar.
Source: Haatufonline & Addis Standard
Enhancing the Capacity of the Somaliland Fire Brigade
The celebration, which included cutting the ribbon to unveil and exhibit the new firefighting equipment that will greatly enhance their capacity to put out fires in the community, was led by Somaliland President Bihi. Continue reading “Enhancing the Capacity of the Somaliland Fire Brigade”
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