Egypt to Contribute Troops to African Union Somalia Mission Amid Regional Tensions
Egypt has announced plans to deploy troops to the African Union Stabilisation and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), marking a significant step in its growing partnership with Somalia. The announcement was made by Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, during a press conference in Cairo on Monday, coinciding with a visit by Somalia’s Foreign Minister.
“Egypt has decided to participate in the mission based on the Somali government’s request and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council’s approval,” Abdelatty stated.
The AUSSOM mission is set to replace the current anti-terror operation in Somalia, which concludes this year. It aims to stabilize the region as tensions mount over Ethiopia’s plans to build a port in Somaliland, a breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The proposed port has heightened disputes between Ethiopia and Somalia, drawing in regional powers and raising fears of further destabilization in the Horn of Africa.
After Turkish-mediated talks, Somalia and Ethiopia pledged to collaborate on resolving the issue. However, Egypt has taken a firm stance, backing Somalia’s sovereignty over its national territories.
“We discussed the situation in Somalia and Egypt’s unwavering support for Somalia asserting its authority and sovereignty over all Somali land. Egypt firmly opposes any unilateral actions that threaten Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and security,” Abdelatty said.
The crisis has strengthened ties between Somalia and Egypt, united by their opposition to Ethiopia’s initiatives in Somaliland. Egypt has long been at odds with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile, a project Cairo views as a threat to its water security.
Under a newly signed joint security pact, Egypt has already supplied Somalia with weapons and ammunition, including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, bolstering Somalia’s defense capabilities.
