Mohamud’s meeting with President Abdel- Fattah Al-Sisi on Sunday demonstrates how strengthening ties with African nations has been a cornerstone of Al-Sisi’s foreign policy since he first took office in 2014. Egypt being a historical ally of many African nations, supporting their struggle for liberation from colonial control, Al-Sisi’s policy is more specifically informed by the need to pursue mutual interests and opportunities to reduce African dependence on foreign powers. At present, ties with Nile Basin, Red Sea and Horn of Africa countries are also a matter of national security.
Somalia has suffered tremendously since the outbreak of Civil War in the early 1990s led to the disintegration of the country. Only in recent years has the Somali government managed to restore key economic and security institutions, including the army, and started the difficult task of rebuilding the state amid unstable conditions and threats from terrorist groups. Rather than aiding in this process, some of Somalia’s neighbours and other regional forces have sought to undermine its stability. One of the consequences of war is the existence of a breakaway region known as Somaliland, at odds with the federal republic. Shortly after Addis Ababa signed a unilateral agreement with that region to maintain a base overlooking the Red Sea, in the hope of transcending Ethiopia’s fate of being landlocked, Israel broke with international consensus to announce its recognition of Somaliland’s independence, the first and only country to do so. It is clear Addis Ababa and Tel Aviv had coordinated their moves.
Along with nearly every Arab and African country, Egypt has issued statements condemning those Ethiopian and Israeli steps, seeing them as a threat to Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. Israel’s move also violated international laws and the UN Charter, which bans backing separatist movements and interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. That is why no other country has taken the step of recognising a breakaway region in an independent member of the United Nations. Ironically, Somalia has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council over the past year, and will remain so in 2026. In his address during a joint press conference with his Somali counterpart, President Al-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s “categorical, unequivocal rejection of any measures that infringe upon Somalia’s unity, including the recognition of the independence of any part of its territory”. He added that such actions set a dangerous precedent and could compromise the stability of the entire Horn of Africa.
Al-Sisi also noted that the Somali president’s visits to Egypt stand as a testament to the profound, special relations and fraternal bonds between the two nations and their peoples — enshrined in the strategic partnership declared during Mohamud’s visit to Cairo in January 2025. Regular meetings between the two presidents have also demonstrated their shared commitment to further elevating bilateral relations and fostering coordination in order to reinforce security and stability in the Horn of Africa. Equally important, those meetings also reflect Egypt’s determination to ensure that its national security remains inviolable. Unlike other countries, Egypt translated words into action; its effort to help Somalia was not limited to strongly-worded statements. In his meeting with the Somali president, Al-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s upcoming participation in the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. He also reiterated Cairo’s commitment to proceeding with the deployment of its forces as part of the mission, “grounded in its commitment to the African continent and its keenness on fostering security and stability throughout all regions of brotherly Somalia”.
Both leaders reiterated their conviction that the responsibility for securing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden rests exclusively with their littoral states. In this context, both Egypt and Somalia have a special responsibility, given their unique locations at the southern and northern gateways of the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Egypt’s support for Somalia will not be limited to maritime security and backing Mogadishu’s efforts to fight terrorism. The meeting between Al-Sisi and Mohamud addressed ways to foster closer bilateral relations and explored opportunities for cooperation in trade, development, education and capacity building, as well as Egypt’s readiness to provide support through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development. Egypt also intends to dispatch an Egyptian medical mission to Somalia in the near future, encompassing various medical specialties. Egypt will remain a sincere partner and supporter of Somalia, and is committed to taking every necessary step to bolster the security and stability of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. This explains why Cairo has stood so firmly in support of Somalia’s unity, security and territorial integrity, categorically rejecting actions that may undermine Somalia’s sovereignty or stability.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 February, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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