CAIRO, Egypt – Egyptian and Somali defence ministers have met in Cairo to discuss ways to strengthen military ties and support stability across Africa.
Abdul Majeed Saqr, Egypt’s defence minister, and his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, explored “ways to enhance military cooperation between the armed forces of both countries and support security and stability efforts within the African continent,” according to an Egyptian military statement.
Saqr highlighted Egypt’s “deep ties with Somalia” and its commitment to expanding cooperation in military fields. Fiqi praised Egypt’s “sincere efforts to promote security and peace for all African peoples” and said the two countries share “common views on key regional issues.”
The Somali National News Agency reported that the ministers discussed ways to strengthen military collaboration and reviewed plans to improve training, equipment, and logistics, aiming to boost security in Somalia and neighbouring countries.
Egypt has also confirmed it will deploy forces to the African Union Support to Somalia Mission (AUSSOM), which began operations in January 2025 after replacing the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. The UN Security Council approved the mission for 12 months to counter the al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab, which has been active in Somalia since 2007.
Egypt and Somalia signed a military cooperation protocol in August 2024, covering Cairo’s participation in AUSSOM from 2025 to 2029.
