CAIRO: Egypt has reaffirmed its strong support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty and state institutions, while calling for sustained international funding for the African Union mission operating in the country.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made the remarks during a telephone conversation on Tuesday with Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, as the two officials discussed security and political developments in the Horn of Africa.
Abdelatty said Egypt firmly rejects any unilateral measures or actions that could undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity or national unity. He stressed that Somalia’s borders and sovereignty must be respected and that efforts to address regional security challenges should be carried out in coordination with the Somali government.
A major focus of the discussion was the future of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Abdelatty stressed the need for reliable and sustainable international financing for the mission, noting that Egypt is contributing personnel to the African Union force.
The Egyptian minister also called for continued support and financing for both the African Union mission and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). He said the two mechanisms remain important to Somalia’s efforts to strengthen security, maintain stability and protect the country’s national unity.
Cairo also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia’s state-building process. Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts to help strengthen Somali government institutions and build their capacity to confront terrorism and violent extremism, which remain major security challenges in the country.
For his part, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali welcomed Egypt’s continued political and security support. He praised Cairo’s position on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed Mogadishu’s intention to maintain close coordination and regular consultations with Egypt.
The two ministers also discussed the broader strategic relationship between Somalia and Egypt. Abdelatty described bilateral relations as gaining momentum and said Cairo remains committed to expanding cooperation with Mogadishu in political, economic and security sectors.
The call comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen its national security institutions and gradually assume greater responsibility for security operations, while international partners debate the long-term financing and mandate of the African Union mission.
Egypt has increasingly emphasized its strategic partnership with Somalia, particularly on issues related to regional security, counterterrorism, state-building and the protection of Somalia’s sovereignty. The latest discussions underline Cairo’s position that Somalia’s territorial integrity should remain a fundamental principle in addressing political and security developments in the Horn of Africa.
