Somalia Accuses Ethiopia of Smuggling Weapons into Puntland

Mogadishu – Somalia has accused Ethiopia of illegally transporting arms to Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in the country’s northeast. The Somali government expressed concern over what it described as an “unauthorized arms shipment” from Ethiopia, potentially fueling tensions between the two neighboring nations.

According to Somali authorities, the arms were secretly transported into Puntland without the knowledge or approval of the federal government in Mogadishu. The Somali Ministry of Defense issued a strong statement condemning the shipment, suggesting that Ethiopia’s actions undermined Somalia’s sovereignty and could destabilize the already fragile region.

The Somali government has called for a full investigation into the arms transfer and urged Ethiopia to respect its territorial integrity. There are fears that the influx of weapons could exacerbate existing tensions in Puntland, which has been battling militant groups like al-Shabaab and ISIS for years. Some officials worry that an increase in arms could embolden militias or political factions, further complicating the fragile security situation in Somalia.

In response to the accusations, Ethiopian officials have not yet provided a detailed explanation but have denied any intentional wrongdoing. Addis Ababa maintains that its engagement with Puntland is aimed at fostering regional stability and fighting terrorism, and it is unclear whether the arms shipment was intended for counter-terrorism efforts.

This development comes at a delicate time for both nations, which have historically shared close ties. Somalia and Ethiopia are both members of the African Union and have worked together on various security initiatives in the Horn of Africa. However, recent events may strain diplomatic relations, raising concerns about regional stability.

International observers are closely monitoring the situation, urging both countries to resolve the issue diplomatically to avoid further escalation. The incident underscores the complexities of security and politics in the Horn of Africa, where arms trafficking and territorial disputes continue to present major challenges.