CAIRO — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egypt‘s Minister of Defense inspected Egyptian troops on Tuesday prior to their deployment to a new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The review, conducted alongside General Abdel Mageed Saqr, Egypt’s Commander-in-Chief and Defense Minister, represents a notable advancement in the expanding security collaboration between the two countries as Mogadishu transitions to a new security framework.
Transition to AUSSOM
The Egyptian contingent is set to participate in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the multinational force expected to succeed the existing ATMIS peacekeeping mission.
During the event, officials received detailed briefings on the “preparation and equipping protocols” for the units. The Egyptian military described the forces as showing exceptional operational and combat preparedness.
“This ceremony highlighted Cairo’s ongoing commitment to African peace and security initiatives, especially in supporting Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity, and institutional stability,” the military spokesperson stated.
Strategic Alliance
The deployment follows a high-level meeting between President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and President Mohamud in Cairo on Sunday. During the talks, the Egyptian leader confirmed his “steadfast support” for Somalia’s sovereignty.
Egypt has consistently voiced opposition to any actions that might compromise Somali stability, particularly amid regional disputes concerning a maritime agreement between Ethiopia and the self-declared region of Somaliland.
The inspection ceremony was also attended by Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, along with other high-ranking military officials.
