Somalia claims that the smuggling of Ethiopian weapons is fueling Al-Shabaab’s war,
According to Somalia’s UN Ambassador, Ethiopia is allegedly importing illicit weapons into Somalia, a move that Mogadishu fears is escalating tensions and strengthening Al-Shabaab.
The UN ambassador for Somalia, Abukar Osman Baale, expressed apparent outrage when he accused Ethiopia of smuggling weapons into the country, a move he said was escalating the already widespread clan disputes and providing Al-Shabaab more reason to terrorize the country. The allegation, made during a UN Security Council meeting, significantly soured ties between the surrounding nations.
“My delegation is deeply concerned about the recent smuggling into Somalia of large illegal weapons from a neighboring country that supplies troops,” Baale said. “The spread of these weapons has fueled clan conflicts and given Al-Shabaab greater power, posing a serious threat to peace and security in Somalia.”
Ethiopia denies as “Baseless” claims
Ethiopian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nebiyu Tedla has dismissed the accusations as “baseless.”” “For over thirty years, Ethiopia has made sacrifices for the peace and stability of the Somalian people,” noted Tedla