Egypt is set to propose a joint leadership role with Somalia in the upcoming African Union (AU) mission, which will deploy later this month in Somalia to combat the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. The move is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to strengthen its influence in the region and counter Ethiopia’s growing presence.
The Egyptian government views its involvement in the new AU mission as a significant step in expanding its influence across the Horn of Africa. This mission, named the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which concluded its mandate at the end of 2023. Egypt has been working to bolster its presence in the region as part of its efforts to challenge Ethiopia, with whom it has been engaged in a long-standing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Egypt perceives the dam as a threat to its water security and has been seeking stronger ties with countries in the region, including Somalia, in order to counterbalance Ethiopia’s influence.
As part of the agreement signed last year, Egypt has already deployed a military contingent to Somalia, where it has been assisting in training Somali security forces, providing arms, and sharing intelligence. The Egyptian forces have also been focused on counterterrorism operations and securing key government installations. Egypt is preparing to increase its military presence further with the new AU mission, which will have a mandate to combat the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated in 2023 when Ethiopia signed a maritime agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region Somalia does not recognize. This move led to Somalia’s refusal to allow Ethiopian troops to participate in the AUSSOM mission. However, after Turkish mediation, relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have improved, but the issue regarding Ethiopian troops in Somalia remains unresolved.
While the exact number of troops for the AUSSOM mission has not been finalized, Somali officials have indicated that 11,000 personnel are expected to be deployed, with Egypt contributing around 25% of the force. Egypt’s growing role in Somalia highlights the country’s strategic push to enhance its influence in the region, particularly as tensions over the Nile River continue to shape its foreign policy.