An Egyptian View of Developments in Somalia

An Egyptian View of Developments in Somalia

 Source: The National Interest published on 9 October 2024 a commentary titled “Egypt in Somalia: Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick” by Mohamed Farid, member of the Egyptian Senate, and Mohamed Maher, Egyptian journalist based in the US.

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is scheduled to take over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by January 2025.  Egypt is supplying weapons, equipment, and training to the Somali National Army.

The authors argue that Egypt’s involvement in Somalia is driven by its interest in maintaining regional stability and countering al-Shabaab terrorism.  They acknowledge, however, that Egypt is concerned by Ethiopia’s “expansionist policies” that “threaten Somali sovereignty.”