Egypt pledges military support to Somalia and Counter Regional Threats

CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt has pledged to intensify its military support to Somalia in a concerted effort to bolster stability and counter regional threats, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced during a meeting with the U.S. envoy to the Horn of Africa.

This commitment marks a significant step in Egypt's foreign policy, reflecting its strategic interest in the stability of the Horn of Africa region, crucial for maritime security and combating terrorism.

Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt's support would focus on strengthening Somalia's central governance, protecting its sovereignty, and enhancing its capabilities to fight terrorism. Egypt's involvement is not only a response to Somalia's immediate security needs but also aligns with Cairo's broader regional security strategy, which includes fostering peace through capacity building and military cooperation.

The discussions also touched on Egypt's role in upcoming African Union operations in Somalia. The stability of Somalia is deemed paramount not just for the nation itself but for the security of regional maritime routes, particularly through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade. This Strait's security directly affects international commerce and the safety of navigation, making Somalia's stability a global concern.

Furthermore, the talks highlighted Egypt's intention to leverage its military experience for training, equipment supply, and possibly joint operations with Somali forces. This move is seen as part of Egypt's broader geopolitical strategy to maintain balance in the region, especially amidst complex dynamics involving Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the broader issue of maritime boundaries in the Red Sea.

The pledge comes at a time when Somalia accused Ethiopia of violating its sovereignty after reaching an MoU with Somaliland in January this year which Addis Ababa wants to gain access to the sea. The situation got worse after Egypt's defense deal with Somaliland that allows Cairo to send troops to the Horn of Africa to take part in upcoming African Union peacekeeping efforts.

The tensions ratcheted up last month with the arrival of two Egyptian C-130 military aircraft in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, delivering a significant shipment of weapons, ammunition, and personnel.

The deal between Cairo and Mogadishu is expected to not only aid Somalia in its fight against groups like al-Shabaab but also to ensure that regional security threats do not spill over into broader instability affecting Egypt's interests.

GAROWE ONLINE