Egypt's President Sisi to receive Somali counterpart in Cairo on Monday

CAIRO – 25 July 2022: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will receive on Monday his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in presidential Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo.

Mohamud’s visit to Egypt comes less than two months after he received in Mogadishu Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, who travelled to the Somali capital to attend Mohamud’s inauguration ceremony.

Madbouli attended the ceremony on behalf of President Sisi, hailing in a speech the “historic and strategic” relations between Egypt and Somalia.

Receiving Madbouli, Mohamud, the tenth president of Somalia, hailed Egypt’s role in supporting Somalia since it gained its independence since 1960.

During the meeting, Madbouli affirmed directives from President Sisi to provide all forms of support to Somalia in all development, security, and training fields.

Egypt will continue its approach in supporting Somalia and standing by the side of its people’s aspirations in development, security, and stability, Madbouli affirmed.

In a speech during the ceremony, Madbouli reiterated Egypt’s support to the Somali national efforts during the coming period to achieve security and peace, achieve sustainable development, and eradicate terrorism.

“This is in order for Somalia to overcome the current challenges and achieve the aspirations of the Somali people in a prosperous future,” Madbouli said. 

Mabdouli called on the brothers and partners to stand by Somalia and provide support required for the African country to achieve permanent security and stability and bring itself back as an effective and strong member of the international community.

The premier said Egypt is keen to enhance cooperation with Somalia in all fields to meet the aspirations of the two countries.

Egypt has been in the lead of the countries that recognized the independence of Somalia in 1960, Madbouli said, hailing in this regard the role played by Egyptian diplomat Kamal El-Din Salah, who was killed in 1975.

“The name of the Egyptian martyr Kamal El-Din Salah, the UN delegate to Somalia, is still remembered with appreciation,” Madbouli said. He added: “he paid his life in 1957 as a cost of his efforts in order for Somalia to gain its independence and preserve its unity.”

The relations between Egypt and Somalia are characterized by multiplicity, Madbouli said, adding that they include political, economic, social, educational, cultural, health and military fields.

“Egypt’s high-level participation in the inauguration ceremony is an affirmation of the historic relations that bind the two countries, since the independence of Somalia in 1960,” the Cabinet said in the statement.