Strategic Alliance: Somalia and Egypt solidify military ties ahead of AU mission deployment
CAIRO — Somalia and Egypt deepened their military partnership Tuesday as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egypt’s defense minister reviewed Egyptian troops ahead of their deployment to a new African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, according to Cairo’s military spokesperson.
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The inspection by Mohamud and Gen. Abdel Mageed Saqr, Egypt’s commander in chief and minister of defense, signals a significant step in the two countries’ expanding security cooperation as Somalia moves into a new phase of national stabilization. The Egyptian contingent will join the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, which is slated to replace the current AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
During a ceremony in Cairo, officials briefed the presidents and commanders on “preparation and equipping procedures” for the units, which the Egyptian military said demonstrated a high level of operational and combat readiness. The program included training demonstrations and a display of vehicles designated for the mission.
“The ceremony underscored Cairo’s continued engagement in African peace and security efforts, particularly in backing Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity, and institutional stability,” Egypt’s military spokesperson said in a statement.
The troop review followed President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s meeting with Mohamud in Cairo on Sunday, where the Egyptian leader reaffirmed what he called his “unwavering support” for Somalia’s sovereignty. Egypt has repeatedly rejected any steps it sees as undermining Somali stability, amid regional tensions over a maritime deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia.
Egypt’s armed forces said the participating units completed advanced training to ensure efficiency under varied operational conditions, indicating preparations tailored to the complex security environment in Somalia. The event was attended by Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa, chief of staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, and other senior commanders.
AUSSOM is expected to take over from ATMIS as the African Union’s principal security mission in Somalia, aligning troop deployments with Somalia’s state-building and stabilization priorities. While specific deployment timelines were not disclosed, Tuesday’s review in Cairo marks a concrete move toward fielding Egyptian forces under the AU banner.
The growing Somalia–Egypt strategic alignment reflects Cairo’s longstanding role in international peace support operations and a recent push to broaden ties with Horn of Africa partners. For Mogadishu, the shift to AUSSOM comes as Somali authorities seek to consolidate gains against extremist groups and extend federal institutions’ reach across the country.
The latest engagement also underscores how regional security dynamics are increasingly interlinked. Egypt has positioned itself in support of Somalia’s federal government as diplomatic frictions ripple from the Ethiopia–North Western State of Somalia maritime agreement, which Somalia rejects. Cairo’s visible backing — from the El-Sisi–Mohamud meeting to the public inspection of outbound troops — is intended to reinforce Somalia’s internationally recognized sovereignty while anchoring Egypt as a stakeholder in Horn of Africa stability.
Tuesday’s ceremony offered few operational details but carried clear political signals: Egypt intends to be a prominent contributor to AUSSOM, and Somalia is rallying external partners as it navigates a sensitive security transition. As the AU recalibrates its mission footprint and mandate, the Egyptian deployment is poised to become an early test of how AUSSOM will blend security, stabilization and support for Somali institutions in the period ahead.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
