Somalia has, for the 4th time, accused Ethiopia of illegally transporting weapons into Somalia. Ethiopian cargo planes were seen in Jubaland on Saturday. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, on Sunday, issued a statement in this regard.
The Ministry claimed that on December 7, two Ethiopian military cargo planes carrying military armament landed in Kismayo Jubaland. The Foreign Ministry accused Ethiopia of creating conflict in Somalia by supplying weapons to Jubaland.
Jubaland regional government and federal government of Somalia are involved in a dispute. Federal government is deploying forces in Ras Kamboni in response to controversial indirect election held in Jubaland around 2 weeks ago. Ethiopian troops in Jubaland, deployed as peacekeepers, indirectly supported Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe in securing the 3rd term through the controversial election.
The arrival of Ethiopian planes in Kismayo Jubaland is being confirmed by several sources. One of the planes took Mohammed Sayid, first deputy president of Jubaland, from Kismayo to Addis Ababa. Sayid held meetings with senior Ethiopian government officials.
Jubaland, around 10 days ago, gave a 10-day deadline to federal forces to leave the regional state. It seems that federal and regional forces could be involved in an armed escalation if issues is not solved through dialogue.
Somalia wants thousands of Ethiopian peacekeepers to leave its territory until December 31, 2024. In recent months, Somalia accused Ethiopia of illegally transporting weapons into Puntland, Galmudug and Southwest States.
Ethiopia-Somalia tensions has been rising since January this year when Ethiopia signed a controversial memorandum of understanding with Somaliland.
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