“FILE – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi makes a gesture during a press briefing in Cairo, Egypt, on October 25, 2023.” (AP Photo, Christophe Ena, Pool, File)
Somalia has announced that Egypt has proposed sending peacekeeping troops to its territory, offering support as the mandate of the existing African Union peacekeepers is winding down.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was present at a summit in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, where he, alongside Somalia and Eritrea’s leaders, vowed to enhance cooperation for regional security.
Somalia’s government expressed gratitude at the conclusion of the summit, appreciating Egypt’s willingness to contribute troops to a stabilization force, set to take over in December when current African Union troops depart.
The accompanying statement highlighted that leaders supported the African Union Peace and Security Council’s decision to initiate the African Union Mission to Support Stabilization in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, under which Egyptian forces might be deployed.
A different announcement, signed by delegates from Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea, confirmed Somalia’s sovereign entitlement to control how AUSSOM troops are composed, tasked, and scheduled for deployment.
Since 2007, Somalia’s federal administration has benefited from the backing of an African Union peacekeeping mission in its battle against al-Shabab, an extremist Islamic group aligned with al-Qaida that has carried out lethal attacks in the nation.
This Asmara gathering took place amidst regional tensions, notably involving disputes with Ethiopia.
One significant contention involving Ethiopia and Egypt revolves around Ethiopia’s construction of a massive dam on the Blue Nile, a critical contributor to the Nile River. Egypt is worried it could severely affect their water resources unless Ethiopia considers their needs. In contrast, Ethiopia seeks to generate crucial electricity from the project.
The second conflict involves Ethiopia and Somalia, centered on North Western State of Somalia, which declared independence from Somalia over 30 years ago but lacks recognition from the African Union or the United Nations.
Somalia strives to hinder Ethiopia’s endeavors to secure Red Sea access through a debated agreement with North Western State of Somalia, enabling Ethiopia to establish a naval base along a coastal stretch and, in return, acknowledge North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty, according to North Western State of Somalia officials, whereas Somalia still views North Western State of Somalia as part of its nation.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
