Monday September 22, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia has welcomed Egypt’s renewed pledge of support, calling it a crucial boost to state-building and security efforts as Mogadishu balances relations with Ethiopia at a time of regional tensions over the Nile.
In a statement Sunday, Somalia’s Foreign Ministry said Egypt’s commitment reflects historic solidarity and thanked Cairo for reaffirming its backing for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and fight against terrorism. The ministry noted that Egypt’s role in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is vital to creating conditions for lasting peace.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its participation in AUSSOM, describing the mission as a step toward preparing Somalia to assume full responsibility for its national security and advance its people’s aspirations for stability and prosperity.
The announcement comes as Ethiopia and Egypt remain at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Cairo recently lodged a complaint with the U.N. Security Council, warning the project threatens its water security. Ethiopia, which inaugurated the dam in September, insists it is essential for its development and energy needs.
Bilateral ties between Somalia and Egypt were strengthened during President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Cairo in January, when he and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi signed a joint declaration expanding cooperation in defence, culture, education, judicial affairs and economic development. That followed an August 2024 military protocol under which Cairo pledged direct support to Somalia’s armed forces.
Political analyst Mohamed Mukhtar told the BBC Somali Service that Egypt’s pledge should be seen in both political and security terms. “When Egypt says it stands with Somalia as a brotherly nation, it signals that President Hassan Sheikh’s attendance at Ethiopia’s dam inauguration will not harm relations with Cairo,” he said.
Mukhtar added that Egyptian troops are expected to join AUSSOM deployments, giving Cairo a more direct role in stabilizing Somalia. At the same time, he said Mogadishu cannot afford to choose sides. “Somalia and Ethiopia share a long border, security concerns, and rivers that flow from the Ethiopian highlands. Cooperation is unavoidable,” he said. Mukhrtar added that Somalia must work with both Egypt and Ethiopia in ways that serve its national interests while avoiding zero-sum choices.