Somalia: President Hassan Sheikh Expected to Visit Egypt, What’s on the Agenda?

MOGADISHU (Garowe Online) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Egypt in the coming days, according to reliable sources who spoke to Garowe Online. The visit is anticipated to take place shortly after the president returns to Mogadishu, which is expected within the next few hours.

Reports indicate that during his visit to Cairo, President Hassan Sheikh will brief Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on his recent trip to Ethiopia. During his time in Addis Ababa, President Mohamud held a key meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Egypt and Ethiopia: The Nile Dispute and Somalia’s Role

Egypt and Ethiopia have long been at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. Emerging reports suggest that President Hassan Sheikh is seeking to establish a dual-friendly relationship with both Addis Ababa and Cairo. However, diplomatic sources indicate that both President Sisi and Prime Minister Abiy remain unconvinced about Somalia’s role in the matter.

Previously, Villa Somalia had aligned itself with Egypt and Eritrea in an alliance opposing Ethiopia. However, this dynamic shifted following the Ankara Agreement, mediated by Turkey, which facilitated a rapprochement between Somalia and Ethiopia. This move came after relations between the two countries had soured due to a maritime agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

Somalia’s Foreign Minister, currently in Cairo, sources confirmed to Garowe Online that Villa Somalia aims to persuade Egypt behind the scenes that military confrontations with Ethiopia are not feasible at this time. This is due to Somalia’s limited military capabilities and the central government’s tenuous relationships with federal member states within the country. Instead, Mogadishu is emphasizing the need to maintain good relations with Addis Ababa in order to nullify the prior maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

President Hassan Sheikh’s Reception in Addis Ababa

Reports from Addis Ababa reveal that President Hassan Sheikh received a high-level reception during his visit. Somalia’s flag was prominently displayed on major streets in the Ethiopian capital, symbolizing a significant political gesture. However, diplomatic sources have told Garowe Online that this warm welcome has not been well-received in Cairo, further complicating the dynamics between Somalia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.

Criticism of Foreign Policy Approach

President Hassan Sheikh’s administration has come under increasing scrutiny for what critics describe as an incoherent foreign policy driven more by personal interests than national strategy. This perceived inconsistency has left Somalia vulnerable to external interference, a challenge that continues to undermine the country’s sovereignty and recovery from decades of conflict.

With Ethiopia and Egypt both vying for influence in Somalia, the fragile political environment remains a reflection of the broader geopolitical rivalries shaping the Horn of Africa.

Garowe Online