Somali Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed El-Baz met in Mogadishu to further enhance bilateral ties between their countries. They discussed various areas of cooperation, including current regional and international matters, aiming to solidify their long-standing partnership.
Minister Fiqi expressed his gratitude for Egypt’s steadfast support, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical and strategic relations between the two nations. The relationship between Somalia and Egypt has intensified this year, particularly due to their shared concerns about Ethiopia. This shared mistrust led to an agreement in August, resulting in Egypt supplying arms to Somalia after both nations signed a joint security pact.
Tensions have escalated recently following Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, a deal that allows Ethiopia access to the sea in return for potential recognition of Somaliland, which Somalia strongly opposes as a violation of its sovereignty. Ethiopia currently has about 3,000 troops stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and an additional 5,000 to 7,000 soldiers deployed through a bilateral agreement.
Somalia has demanded the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces by the year’s end unless Ethiopia revokes its deal with Somaliland, which Somalia views as a direct challenge to its territorial integrity.
