Africa Intelligence
An Africa Intelligence report has uncovered Djibouti’s alleged involvement in training Issa and Gadabursi rebels to destabilize Somaliland. According to sources familiar with the matter, these rebels are receiving military training at the Guestir military base, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Ali-Sabieh.
The report suggests that Djibouti’s motivation behind supporting these rebel groups stems from dispute with Somaliland over the latter’s decision to grant Ethiopia access to a leased land along the Red Sea. By backing Issa and Gadabursi rebels, Djibouti appears to be pursuing a calculated strategy to assert influence and undermine Somaliland’s control over Awdal.
Somaliland, a self-declared republic seeking international recognition, has condemned Djibouti’s actions as provocative and destabilizing. Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi had earlier accused Djibouti of hosting a separatist rebel group that intends to stoke chaos in the western regions of the break-away state. However, Djibouti dismissed the claim as groundless.