Egypt to hold talks on sending peacekeeping troops to Somalia

Egypt is set to hold discussions with Somalia next week regarding Cairo's potential contribution to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), aimed at combating terrorist organizations in the Horn of Africa nation.

The talks are scheduled for Jan. 15-17 in Cairo. This follows Egypt's expression of willingness to provide troops after receiving an official request from Somalia last month.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi (R) and the Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud shake hands after a meeting in Cairo, Egypt. (Somalian Presidency Photo)

Egypt's role in Somalia's stabilization efforts

The proposed Egyptian contribution comes as Somalia continues its battle against al-Shabaab, a terrorist group that has waged an insurgency in the country for nearly two decades.

Egyptian army soldiers man an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) deployed near the Egyptian side of the Rafah Border Crossing with the Gaza Strip on March 23, 2024 (AFP Photo)

Somalia's reassessment of Ethiopian troop exclusion

Balcad also indicated that Somalia is reconsidering its earlier decision to exclude Ethiopian troops from the peacekeeping force.

This potential shift comes amid improving relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, facilitated by diplomatic mediation from Türkiye.

While Ethiopia has historically been a major contributor to the U.N.-backed mission in Somalia, it remains unclear how large an Ethiopian contingent will be permitted under the revised arrangement.

January 08, 2025 11:54 AM GMT+03:00