Egypt, Somalia presidents meet in Cairo to deepen ties, security cooperation

CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo on Sunday, pledging deeper security cooperation and renewed economic ties while underscoring Egypt’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty amid regional frictions in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

Mohamud, on a two-day official visit, received full honors at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace before the leaders held a closed-door session followed by expanded talks with their delegations, the Egyptian presidency said.

In a statement, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s “firm support for Somalia’s unity, security and territorial integrity,” warning against steps that could undermine the country’s stability. He cautioned that actions taken at the expense of states’ sovereignty violate the U.N. Charter. Mohamud praised the “fraternal relations” between the countries and thanked Cairo for its backing of Somalia’s unity and stability, emphasizing his government’s intent to intensify coordination with Egypt to bolster regional security.

The Cairo talks unfolded against a tense backdrop. On Dec. 26, Israel announced it had recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent and sovereign state — the only country to do so — drawing sharp criticism across the region. Somalia swiftly rejected the move, restating its nonnegotiable commitment to sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity.

The leaders also discussed accelerating bilateral cooperation. Sisi called for activating the strategic partnership declaration signed in January 2025 and highlighted opportunities in trade, development, education and capacity building. He said Egypt is ready to provide technical and development support through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development — an offer Mohamud welcomed, according to the statement.

Security and military coordination featured prominently, with both sides agreeing to draw on Egypt’s counterterrorism experience. The talks also covered protecting national institutions and resources and enhancing maritime security — priorities that have taken on added urgency amid instability in the Horn of Africa and threats to shipping in adjacent waters.

At a joint news conference, Sisi said Egypt is pressing ahead with completing the deployment of its forces as part of a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, “in line with its commitment to Africa and supporting security and stability across Somalia.” In December 2024, Egypt said it would participate in the African Union’s new peacekeeping force in Somalia. The deployment has yet to take place, with Egyptian officials citing funding obstacles facing the mission.

Sisi also addressed security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, asserting that responsibility “rests exclusively with the states bordering them.” He reiterated Cairo’s opposition to Ethiopian calls for access to a Red Sea outlet or port, restating Egypt’s view that littoral security should be managed by the countries along those shores.

Mohamud’s visit aimed to translate political solidarity into operational cooperation. In addition to defense ties, both sides explored investments and programs to support Somali state capacity, from training initiatives to development projects that could stabilize communities vulnerable to extremist recruitment and economic shocks.

The two leaders agreed that conflicts in the region should be resolved by peaceful means that reinforce stability and safeguard the sovereignty of nation-states — a message calibrated to Somalia’s internal cohesion and the wider security architecture of the Horn of Africa.

“Egypt will always remain a sincere partner and supporter of Somalia,” Sisi said, pledging sustained engagement in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridors. For Mogadishu, the public commitments from Africa’s most populous Arab state add diplomatic weight at a moment of heightened scrutiny over borders, maritime lanes and the legitimacy of national institutions.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.