Sisi: Egypt’s joining of AU Somalia mission aims to ensure stability, not threaten any country

CAIRO – 23 January 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has emphasized that Egypt’s joining of the new African Union (AU) mission in Somalia is “positive” and aims to achieve Somali stability without posing a threat to another country.

“Our participation is positive,” Sisi said in a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who embarked on a visit to Cairo on Thursday to elevate relations between both countries.

“This mission aims to achieve security and stability in Somalia and does not aim to threaten any country,” Sisi affirmed.

The new African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), authorized by the United Nations in December, became operational on 1 January 2025.

The new mission, replacing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), aims to bolster Somali security and support the nation’s fight against Al-Shabaab militant group and affiliates linked to ISIS.

Al-Shabaab has launched many attacks against government forces, foreign peacekeepers, and civilians in Somalia over the past years with the aim of destroying the country’s federal government.

“For over 30 years we have been suffering from what is happening in Somalia. Our participation aims primarily to show solidarity with our brothers in Somalia,” Sisi said during the presser.

The Egyptian president said he and Mohamud discussed Egypt’s participation in the new mission “in length.”

MILITARY COOPERATION

Moreover, Sisi said they agreed during today’s meeting on continuing joint action aimed at activating the Egyptian-Somali military cooperation protocol, signed by the two countries last August in Cairo.

He stressed that the protocol seeks to support the capabilities of the Somali state and its national institutions to preserve security and stability and combat terrorist and extremist organizations.

ELEVATING RELATIONS

The two presidents signed today a joint political declaration to elevate the relations between both countries to the level of strategic partnership.

Sisi said the joint declaration covers various fields, including political, military, cultural and economic areas.

“We are here today to launch a new era of deep cooperation,” Sisi stated.

The declaration stipulates holding annual political consultations at the summit level to follow up on the overall developments in relations between our two countries and to explore measures to enhance cooperation in various fields, Sisi said.

Moreover, the leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement for mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic passports between both countries.

Sisi and Mohamud discussed the progress of the two countries’ economic relations, especially in light of EgyptAir’s launch of flights between Cairo and Mogadishu.

They agreed on enhancing Egyptian-Somali relations, with additional and specific measures in various fields, including health, judicial cooperation and capacity building.

The two presidents emphasized the significant progress achieved during the trilateral summit between Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea, which took place in Asmara last October.

Discussions during the trilateral summit focused on improving coordination on regional issues to support Somalia as a fundamental cornerstone of stability in the Horn of Africa, Sisi said.

The two leaders today stressed the importance of convening another trilateral summit to further strengthen this partnership.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said he has agreed with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on providing all forms of support to Somalia for security restoration in the country through its national army, realizing Mohamud’s vision.#Egypt… pic.twitter.com/xCGxUDrw5O

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) October 11, 2024

BACKING SOMALI SOVEREIGNTY

Over the recent past year, Egypt and Somalia have exchanged bilateral high-level visits to enhance cooperation in various fields, including economic, educational, security and military fields.

Last month, Sisi said Egypt is actively working to support Somalia in achieving security and stability, whether through bilateral cooperation or by participating in the African Union peacekeeping mission at Somalia's request.

Egypt has expressed its willingness to provide technical support and expertise to bolster Somalia’s capacity in addressing security challenges and reinforcing its national institutions.

Cairo has repeatedly underscored support to the Somali government in achieving security, countering terrorism and enforcing the state sovereignty within its territory.

In several occasions, Egypt has voiced unwavering support for the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia amidst tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland in January 2024, a self-declared state not recognized by Egypt.

The agreement, which allows Ethiopia potential access to the sea in exchange for recognizing Somaliland, has been vehemently opposed by Somalia as an infringement on its sovereign rights.

Both Somalia and Ethiopia have reached a deal to solve their conflict through an agreement mediated by Ankara last month.

https://t.co/2FxX9Cl65k

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized that Egypt is actively working to support Somalia in achieving security and stability, whether through bilateral cooperation or by participating in the African Union peacekeeping mission at Somalia's request.…

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) December 29, 2024

Somalia last year warned it would exclude Ethiopian troops from the AU mission over Addis Ababa’s “perceived transgressions against Somalia's sovereignty.”

However, Mogadishu stated that issues hindering Addis Ababa’s participation in AUSSOM have been resolved shortly after a visit by Mohamud to Ethiopia.