Peacekeeping Partnership Emerges Between Somalia and Egypt
As the mandate of the long-time African Union peacekeeping group in Somalia comes to an end, Egypt has stepped up to offer to deploy peacekeeping troops in the region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attended a summit in Eritrea, where cooperation in regional security was pledged with Somalia and Eritrea.
Following the summit, Somalia welcomed Egypt’s offer to deploy troops as part of a stabilisation force once the current African Union force disbands in December. The deployment would fall under the African Union Mission to Support Stabilization in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Amidst tensions in the region, disputes between Ethiopia and Egypt over a dam on the Blue Nile, and between Ethiopia and Somalia over the breakaway region of Somaliland, have added complexity. Somalia has opposed Ethiopia’s efforts to establish a marine force base in Somaliland in exchange for recognition as an independent country, highlighting ongoing territorial disputes.
The emerging partnership between Egypt and Somalia marks a new phase in regional security cooperation as the dynamics in the Horn of Africa continue to evolve.