CAIRO, Egypt – Somalia is on the cusp of bolstering its military strength with more gear from Egypt, as revealed by the state minister for Foreign Affairs. Amidst prevailing strife, the aid from Cairo has been a lifeline for Mogadishu, ensuring the country’s armed forces remain robust and ready.
In a significant move fueled by a defense agreement, Egypt has already supplied Somalia with advanced weaponry and ammunition. Ali Omar, the state minister for Foreign Affairs, shared that this collaboration will provide local forces an “advantageous edge” in their battle against violent extremism.
Omar mentioned that Egyptian military personnel would soon be on Somali soil to impart training to Somali troops. For years, Somalia has depended on the assistance of friendly nations to prepare its forces, aiming for a seamless transition of security duties from international peacekeeping forces to local personnel.
During a televised interview, Ali Omar confirmed the arrival of military essentials from Egypt and expressed optimism about receiving further aid from the Arab Republic. He emphasized that as of now, Egyptian forces were not present in Somalia. “However, we anticipate their imminent arrival to assist in training our soldiers and fortifying our military,” Omar stated. “This request has been made to Egypt.”
He asserted Somalia’s sovereign right to undertake any necessary measures and enlist appropriate forces for national security, expressing gratitude toward Egypt for their offer. “Signing agreements is a sovereign decision of Somalia, and it remains beyond external interference,” Omar reiterated, while also highlighting Somalia’s appeal to Türkiye for naval reinforcement.
In light of Ethiopia’s recent deal, which threatens to establish a naval base in North Western of Somaliaand recognize its independence, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that Somalia would “stand firm” against the breach of its territorial access to the sea.
The longstanding discord between Somalia and Ethiopia over Red Sea access has led to a fraught situation. Somalia has denounced the Ethiopia- North Western of Somaliaagreement as ‘illegitimate,’ seeking external arbitrations to resolve the issue.
Voicing support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated unequivocally: “We will not allow any threat to Somalia’s territory or sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre vowed that his administration would prevent Somalia from becoming a battleground for external conflicts, specifically pointing out the Nile dam dispute fueling tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia. He stressed that Somalia would actively ensure such conflicts remain outside its dominion, safeguarding its borders as a critical player in the Horn of Africa.
AXADLETM
