An Egyptian Military Delegation Arrives in Mogadishu in Preparation for Deploying Forces as Part of the African Union Mission in Somalia

A senior Egyptian military delegation arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, consisting of senior officers and special units, in preparation for deploying Egyptian forces as part of the African Union mission to support stability in Somalia.

Somali military sources reported that the delegation will establish logistical foundations and coordinate with local authorities to facilitate the arrival of 1,091 Egyptian soldiers as part of the African mission, in addition to other forces under the bilateral agreement between Cairo and Mogadishu.

The Somali Ministry of Defense confirmed that this step reflects "Egypt's commitment to supporting Somalia's security and building the capacities of the Somali National Army," noting that the Egyptian team completed intensive training before their arrival, enhancing their readiness to operate in a complex security environment.

The arrival of the delegation follows Egypt's sending of three shipments of weapons to Somalia in 2024, which included artillery and anti-tank missiles, as part of the military cooperation agreement signed between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This step comes amid regional tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as Cairo has strengthened its military ties with Mogadishu, including training 3,000 soldiers from the Somali army and sending various military equipment.

Somalia will replace the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS), which ended in December 2024, with forces totaling about 11,900 personnel, at a time when Ethiopia has expressed concern over the Egyptian presence in Somalia, especially after signing a memorandum of understanding to lease the coast for establishing a naval base in the Somaliland region.