The governments of Somalia and Egypt have announced a collaborative effort to combat terrorism, particularly targeting the al-Shabaab group. This partnership includes Egypt’s participation in the new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
On January 27, 2025, Somalia’s Defense Ministry revealed that Egypt has committed to supporting Somalia in its fight against terrorism. This commitment was solidified during final technical discussions concerning Egypt’s role in the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which commenced its five-year mandate earlier this month.
The Federal Government of Somalia recognizes Egypt’s potential contribution to eliminating the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group, referred to locally as “Khawaarij.” The Somali government anticipates Egypt’s involvement alongside other troop-contributing nations in this mission.
This development follows a recent official visit by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Egypt, where he met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, focusing on enhancing cooperation in education, justice, politics, security, communications, and the economy. They also witnessed the signing of an agreement exempting holders of Somali diplomatic passports from visa requirements, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations.
In August 2024, during President Mohamud’s visit to Cairo, Somalia and Egypt signed a defense pact to bolster bilateral security cooperation. Trade between the two countries has also seen significant growth, with the trade volume reaching $59 million in the first half of 2024, up from $31 million during the same period in 2023, according to Egypt’s statistics authority.
The enhanced cooperation between Somalia and Egypt underscores a mutual commitment to regional stability and the fight against terrorism. Egypt’s involvement in AUSSOM is anticipated to strengthen the mission’s efforts in supporting Somalia’s security and stabilization initiatives.
