Somalia president in Egypt as pressure piles on Ethiopia over controversial deal

CAIRO, Egypt - Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, following an official invitation by President Abdelfattah Elsisi, and he is expected to stay in the northern African nation for two days according to Villa Somalia.

Hassan Sheikh left Kampala on Friday night moments after attending the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Non-Allied Movement (NAM) meetings in Kampala, Uganda, where Somalia's conflict with Ethiopia featured.

According to the state media, the two leaders are expected to discuss matters of economic development and regional stability, which has been a key factor in recent times. Both Somalia and Egypt are embroiled in conflict with Ethiopia, a key player in the Horn of Africa.

"The two leaders are set to engage in crucial discussions on regional stability and strengthening the historical bonds between Somalia and Egypt," a statement by the state media read, on Friday.

In light of the tension between Ethiopia and Somalia, Egypt affirmed full support for Somalia. Ethiopia is keen to annex at least 20 kilometers of the Red Sea following an agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia that is yet to be recognized globally.

Egypt Foreign Affairs minister Sameh Shoukry was quoted as saying that his country “will spare no effort in supporting Somalia, as coordination is underway to provide the Somali side with the necessary training and support for its cadres in a way that enables it to achieve sovereignty over its entire territories.”

Once the deal is finalized, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move that has angered Mogadishu, which is now looking for international support. Most countries and critical stakeholders have accused Ethiopia of instigating instability in the Horn of Africa.

Egypt has also been at loggerheads with Ethiopia over the filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam along the Blue Nile, a process Ethiopia has insisted on completing. The move, Egypt argues, would affect water levels on the Nile, which is used for irrigation in Egypt.

GAROWE ONLINE