President Sisi to coordinate on Ethiopia crisis with Somali President

CAIRO - 20 January 2024: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Cairo on Saturday on a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, which has signed a controversial memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia considers Somaliland to be part of its territory.

In a statement, the Somali ambassador to Egypt, Elias Sheikh Omar Abubakar, said the visit was an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on the crisis in Somalia. He also expressed his appreciation for Egypt's support for Somalia, saying that Egypt has been a "reliable partner" in the face of Ethiopian aggression.

The Somali president is scheduled to meet with el-Sisi, as well as Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, to discuss the latest developments in the region.

Abubakar said the visit would "boost" relations between the two countries and help to strengthen cooperation and coordination between them. He also said it would provide an opportunity for the two leaders to consult and exchange views on how to address the challenges facing the region.