Somalia accuses Ethiopia of smuggling weapons over border for second time in months

MOGADISHU (Adduun) – Somalia’s government on Friday accused Ethiopia of smuggling two lorries of weapons over the border for the second time in just a few months, as tensions between the two neighboring nations continue to rise. 

In a statement, the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Addis Ababa had delivered weapons to the semi-autonomous region of Puntland without obtaining any clearance or authorization from the Somali federal government, further infringing on Somalia’s sovereignty. 

“Documented evidence confirms the arrival of two lorries transporting weapons from Ethiopia to Puntland region of Somalia,” the statement reads. 

“This latest incident mirrors previous unauthorized arms shipments from Ethiopia, with reports of weapons being transported similarly to the Galmudug region and another cache flown into Baidoa via aircraft. Such recurrent activities indicate an ongoing disregard for Somalia’s sovereignty.” 

A video that emerged on social media early Friday showed two fully loaded trucks being escorted by heavy Ethiopian security in the town of Bookh, located on the Ethiopian side of the border. Later that evening, the same trucks were seen entering Garowe, the capital of Puntland, under the protection of regional security forces. 

Puntland authorities have yet to address the contents of the trucks or the accusations made by Somalia’s government, and Ethiopia has remained silent as well. Adduun has been unable to verify whether the two trucks contained weapons, as the information has not been made public. 

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