Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to arrive in the Egyptian capital Cairo today, Saturday, for discussions aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between the two countries. The visit will also address the Ethiopian agreement with the separatist region of Somaliland, which poses a threat to Egyptian, Arab, and Horn of Africa regional security. This visit by the Somali President to Cairo is in response to an Egyptian invitation extended by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, conveyed by a high-level delegation that recently visited Mogadishu.
The visit is expected to include discussions between the Somali President and his Egyptian counterpart on Arab and Egyptian movements to confront the Ethiopian plan to establish a maritime outlet and naval force on the Red Sea. This plan is seen as affecting maritime navigation and threatening the region’s security and stability, in addition to violating international law and principles of good neighborliness.
Further, it is anticipated that the visit will involve coordination to provide the necessary training and support to the Somali side, enabling it to exercise sovereignty over its entire territory.
Egyptian Solidarity with Somalia:
Two days prior, during his visit to the Ugandan capital Kampala for the Non-Aligned Movement summit, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Somalia’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Mohamed Omar. Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s solidarity with Somalia against attempts to violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized Egypt’s commitment to the security and stability of Somalia and its readiness to leverage Egyptian capabilities to assist Somalia in building its national cadres, implementing developmental plans, and supporting its stability.
Warning Against Ethiopian Unilateral Policies:
Shoukry pointed out Egypt’s previous warnings against Ethiopia’s unilateral policies that contravene international law and principles of good neighborliness, which aim to impose a fait accompli policy without considering the interests of African governments and peoples. The recent Ethiopian agreement to lease land for a naval base along the coast of Somaliland, as announced by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, further validates Egypt’s viewpoint regarding the impact of these moves and policies on regional stability and escalating tensions among countries in the region.
Shoukry expressed Egypt’s full support for Somalia, urging all Arab and international parties to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity in line with the United Nations Charter’s fundamental principles. He rejected any actions that might infringe upon that sovereignty or the Somali people’s exclusive and inherent rights to utilize their resources.
Memorandum with President of Somaliland:
It is noted that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland President Musa Bihi Abdi at the beginning of January to lease a 20 km stretch of coastline for the establishment of an Ethiopian naval base. Abiy Ahmed’s office stated that the agreement enhances security, economic, and political partnership between Ethiopia and Somaliland, while Abdi indicated that the agreement includes Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state in the near future.
