The bustling city of Mogadishu recently witnessed a significant diplomatic rendezvous at its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Thursday, Somali Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi sat down with his Egyptian counterpart, Ambassador Mohamed El-Baz, to explore opportunities to enhance the bonds between their nations. This gathering wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill diplomatic meeting, but rather, a crucial dialogue to fortify the ties that have such rich, historical roots.
Within the hushed conference room, shaded by the midday sun, discussions took a deep dive into multiple avenues to enrich this longstanding partnership. The areas of collaboration spanned various sectors with special emphasis on the tapestry of issues affecting both the regional and global landscapes. “The bond we share is beyond formalities,” Minister Fiqi reflected, acknowledging Egypt’s steadfast presence and backing over the years. The past year has seen new layers added to this alliance, primarily fueled by both nations’ concerns over Ethiopia’s maneuvers.
Look back to last summer when Cairo started sending substantial military support to Mogadishu. This marked a pivotal moment, as arms flew in following the signing of a security pact in August. This move underscored the shared uncertainties and trust issues that surfaced towards Ethiopia. Here’s the kicker, though. These actions and agreements also came at a time when Ethiopia inked a potentially controversial deal with North Western State of Somalia earlier in 2024, effectively securing itself sea access.
This Memorandum of Understanding rattled Somalia’s feathers, stirring the pot on territorial integrity issues. Against this backdrop, it’s no wonder Somalia quickly denounced Ethiopia’s agreement. The country, holding firm, views the deal as a threat, vocalizing demands for Ethiopian troops’ withdrawal—no later than the end of this year—unless the North Western State of Somalia arrangement is scrapped. That’s no small potatoes, especially when you consider Ethiopia’s military footprint involves roughly 3,000 troops under the ATMIS mandate—with many more stationed across various regions through bilateral arrangements.
This high-stakes diplomatic dance is underscored by the urgency of Somalia’s resolve. The firm stance communicated by Somalia draws clear lines in the sand regarding its sovereignty. The conversation with Egypt signals a broader effort for regional allies to present a united front against perceived challenges. The undercurrent of these diplomatic exchanges signifies a shift towards leveraging historical ties in navigating modern geopolitical complexities. As Somalia and Egypt build bridges across the expanse of time and adversity, the reverberations of their dialogue extend beyond the conference room and into the heart of a dynamic region.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
