Egypt will join a new African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia to support the Somali government amid rising tensions with Ethiopia. This decision follows a request from Somalia and coincides with the establishment of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission aimed at combating Al-Shabaab insurgents, marking a strategic partnership between Egypt and Somalia.
On Monday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Egypt would participate in a newly established African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. This decision comes in response to a request from the Somali government and the support of the African Union Peace and Security Council. Tensions in the Horn of Africa heightened recently following Ethiopia’s maritime agreement with Somaliland, prompting Somalia to align more closely with Egypt. The deployment will replace the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which concludes on December 31, establishing the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to combat the Al-Shabaab insurgents.
Abdelatty reiterated his country’s respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity, emphasizing, “Somalia’s sovereignty over (its) entire national soil” and dismissing any unilateral actions that could threaten the nation’s unity. Meanwhile, relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have seen improvement facilitated by Turkey, leading to an agreement to resolve their prolonged disputes. While Ethiopia’s troops will not be included in the AU mission, Egypt’s involvement has been welcomed significantly. Egypt’s military cooperation with Somalia, formalized during President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Cairo, signals a growing strategic alliance that aims to counterbalance Ethiopia’s influence in the region.
Egypt’s involvement in the African Union peacekeeping initiative arises amid heightened regional tensions, particularly concerning Ethiopia’s actions regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and its recent maritime agreement with Somaliland. These developments have prompted Somalia to strengthen its ties with Egypt in a bid to ensure its sovereignty and security. The establishment of the new peacekeeping force further illustrates a concerted effort to stabilize Somalia, which has been grappling with the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab insurgents for years.
In conclusion, Egypt’s commitment to joining the new African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia reflects both a strategic alignment with the Somali government and a response to regional tensions exacerbated by Ethiopia’s recent maneuvers. This new peacekeeping mission represents a critical step in addressing the insidious threat posed by Al-Shabaab, while also reinforcing Egypt’s diplomatic and military connections in the Horn of Africa. The shifts observed underscore a changing geopolitical landscape that may redefine alliances within the region.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
