Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has disclosed that the Federal Government faced significant external pressure in recent months to reject the inclusion of Egyptian forces in the new African Union mission
Speaking to a local television station in Cairo, Fiqi confirmed that Egypt is planning a military presence in Somalia under the framework of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as well as through a bilateral agreement aimed at combating terrorism and bolstering the Somali government’s territorial control.
This move highlights Egypt’s increasing involvement in Somalia’s security landscape, reflecting its strategic interest in the region.
It also raises questions about how this development may influence regional dynamics, particularly given historical tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over issues like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).