Somalia and Egypt Strengthen Military Ties Amid Regional Tensions

Mogadishu, Somalia – In a significant shift in policy, Egypt has deployed military aircraft to Mogadishu, marking a notable departure from its historical lack of military aid to Somalia. Prominent Somali politician Mohamed Hadir Noor shared his thoughts on the evolving military dynamics between the two nations in an exclusive interview with Shabelle TV.

Noor emphasized that Egypt’s sudden interest in providing military assistance to Somalia is a significant change in policy. "Egypt was not one of the African countries that provided military assistance to Somalia, and this movement signifies a different approach," he stated. However, he expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the Egyptian military presence, suggesting that their role might be more symbolic or part of a broader African Union mission to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The politician also cautioned about the geopolitical implications of this military cooperation, hinting at the underlying tensions involving Egypt and Ethiopia, primarily over the Nile River. "At the moment, Somalia is caught between Egypt and Ethiopia, which are in great conflict," he warned, emphasizing the potential for Somalia to become a proxy in regional disputes.

Noor concluded by underscoring the need for Somalia to avoid becoming a battleground for external conflicts. "Egypt, which does not receive military assistance to evacuate its army, is a different matter. Somalia does not need to be fought over," he said.

This development follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Cairo, where he and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi signed a defense agreement, signaling a deepening of military ties between the two nations.