Somalia has expressed its appreciation for Egypt’s offer to send peacekeeping troops to the country, as reported by The Independent. This move comes as the mandate of the long-standing African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia is set to conclude.
During a summit in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, alongside leaders from Somalia and Eritrea, affirmed their commitment to enhancing regional security cooperation. Following the summit, Somali authorities released a statement welcoming Egypt’s proposal to deploy troops in Somalia once the current African Union force wraps up its mission in December.
The African Union Peace and Security Council’s decision to establish the African Union Mission to Support Stabilization in Somalia (AUSSOM) was also endorsed during the summit. This mission will oversee the deployment of Egyptian troops and other contributing nations to support stability efforts in Somalia.
A joint statement signed by representatives from Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea highlighted Somalia’s sovereignty in determining the composition, responsibilities, and timeline for the deployment of AUSSOM troops. Somalia has been combating the extremist group al-Shabab with the assistance of the African Union peacekeeping mission since 2007.
The summit in Asmara follows a period of regional tensions, including disputes involving Ethiopia. One such conflict involves Ethiopia’s construction of a dam on the Blue Nile, raising concerns from Egypt over potential impacts on water resources downstream. Additionally, Ethiopia and Somalia are at odds over Somalia’s territorial issues, particularly with the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Somalia has opposed Ethiopia’s attempts to establish a maritime base in Somaliland in exchange for recognition of its independence, a move causing further tensions in the region. Somaliland, although separated from Somalia for over three decades, is not internationally recognized as an independent state.
The security landscape in the Horn of Africa continues to evolve, with Egypt’s offer of peacekeepers potentially playing a pivotal role in supporting Somalia’s stability efforts moving forward.