CAIRO — The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, arrived in Cairo on Saturday for a high-level official visit aimed at reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations.
President Mohamud was received at the Al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace with a full state ceremony, including a guard of honor, where he was personally greeted by Egyptian President H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Strategic Partnership and Security
The leaders engaged in expanded bilateral talks focusing on security, defense, and economic cooperation. A central theme of the discussions was the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in January 2025.
President El-Sisi confirmed that talks addressed Egypt‘s upcoming role in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) in Somalia. He noted that arrangements are in progress for the deployment of Egyptian forces to assist in maintaining security and stability across the country.
Regarding maritime security, President El-Sisi stated that the responsibility for protecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden lies exclusively with the bordering states, highlighting the strategic significance of cooperation between Cairo and Mogadishu.
Unified Front on Sovereignty
Both leaders strongly reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. During a joint press conference, they cautioned that actions by external actors to recognize Somaliland, specifically alluding to recent moves by Israel, are contrary to international law.
“Actions compromising a nation’s security or territorial integrity contradict the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter,” President El-Sisi stated, warning that such measures could escalate regional tensions.
Diplomatic Maneuvering and Aid
While the public focus remained on unity, sources indicate that critical discussions took place regarding Somalia’s financial landscape. Following reports of severed relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mogadishu is reportedly seeking Cairo’s diplomatic support in persuading Saudi Arabia to fill the funding gap.
However, sources suggest that both Riyadh and Cairo have conveyed that significant financial assistance is contingent upon President Mohamud reaching political agreements with domestic opponents and Federal Member States to stabilize the country’s internal landscape.
Development Initiatives
Beyond security and politics, the leaders explored opportunities to enhance cooperation in healthcare and education. President El-Sisi announced plans to dispatch an Egyptian medical mission to Somalia, encompassing various specialties to support the local health sector.
Somali Ambassador to Egypt, Hon. Ali Abdi Awari, characterized the visit as having “substantial political and strategic importance,” noting that it demonstrates the profound historical ties between the two nations.
