Egypt deploys forces to Somalia as El-Sisi draws a hard line on secession
El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection of any recognition of the secession of Somali territory, warning that such moves undermine state sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent for regional stability.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Egypt has confirmed it is proceeding with the deployment of its forces to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), signalling a significant expansion of Cairo’s security footprint in the Horn of Africa.
The announcement was made by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi during talks in Cairo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, where the two leaders underscored deepening military and political coordination amid mounting regional tensions.
El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection of any recognition of the secession of Somali territory, warning that such moves undermine state sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent for regional stability.
He stressed that actions taken at the expense of a country’s security violate the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Security cooperation dominated the discussions, with El-Sisi confirming that Egyptian forces will deploy as part of AUSSOM to support stabilisation operations across Somalia.
Cairo also expressed readiness to share counter-terrorism expertise, training, and operational capabilities with Somali security forces as Mogadishu continues efforts to consolidate control and combat militant threats.
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President Hassan Sheikh welcomed Egypt’s deployment and thanked Cairo for its consistent support for Somalia’s unity, security, and territorial integrity.
He praised Egypt’s growing role in promoting stability in the Horn of Africa and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to close coordination with Egypt on regional security issues.
The talks also addressed maritime security, with El-Sisi emphasising that safeguarding the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is the exclusive responsibility of the states bordering them.
He highlighted Egypt’s position at the northern entrance and Somalia’s role at the southern gateway of the Red Sea, framing cooperation as essential to protecting strategic shipping lanes.
The visit reflects accelerating military and political alignment between Cairo and Mogadishu, building on a strategic partnership agreement signed in January 2025.
With Egypt moving ahead on troop deployment under AUSSOM, the two countries appear set to play a more coordinated role in shaping security outcomes across Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.