Photo courtesy of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, comes as Egypt reaffirms support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty while seeking to deepen strategic ties with Mogadishu amid evolving regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
Acting on directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Abdelatty conveyed the Egyptian leader’s greetings and best wishes for security, stability, and peace in Somalia, praising the deep-rooted historical relations between the two countries.
He reiterated Egypt’s firm support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, national institutions, and territorial integrity, stressing Cairo’s rejection of any unilateral measures that undermine Somali sovereignty.
Abdelatty also underlined Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia across political, military, security, and humanitarian fields, noting that stability in Somalia remains critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and is closely linked to Egypt’s national security.
For his part, President Mohamud conveyed his greetings to El-Sisi and expressed appreciation for Egypt’s continued support, affirming Somalia’s commitment to expanding cooperation that serves mutual interests and strengthens regional stability.
The Egyptian minister highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations, noting the launch of an EgyptAir route, the signing of a military cooperation protocol in August 2024, the full relocation of Egypt’s embassy to Mogadishu, and a January 2025 political declaration that upgraded ties to a strategic partnership.
He stressed the need to boost trade and expand Egyptian exports to Somalia, particularly pharmaceuticals and industrial products, while continuing development and capacity-building programmes through Egyptian institutions.
Abdelatty also emphasized the importance of securing sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), especially as Egyptian forces prepare for deployment, and reiterated Egypt’s support for Somalia’s efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025 and its move to establish diplomatic relations with the breakaway region have drawn strong regional backlash, with Egypt and other Arab and African states condemning the step as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Israeli engagement with Somaliland has since advanced, including a high-level visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in early 2026, signalling efforts to operationalize ties following the recognition.
The development has heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, where Somalia considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory despite its unilateral declaration of independence in 1991, which remains unrecognized by the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).
Cairo views developments in Somalia as closely linked to its national security and has expanded cooperation with Mogadishu in recent years, including military coordination and capacity-building efforts, amid ongoing challenges posed by terrorism and regional instability.
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