Wednesday 26,March 2025 {HMC} Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed his country’s support for the Somali government and national army in their fight against terrorism during a phone call with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday, the Egyptian presidency said.
President El-Sisi first inquired about President Mohamud’s health following last week’s Al-Shabaab assassination attempt that targeted his convoy near the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu. The attack, which killed eight people including journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabashe, was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
El-Sisi emphasized Cairo’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Somalia in counterterrorism, military training, intellectual dialogue, and social development.
In response, President Mohamud thanked El-Sisi for his show of solidarity and praised Egypt’s longstanding support for Somalia, expressing his government’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and pursuing joint initiatives for the benefit of both nations.
The conversation comes as Egypt prepares to contribute troops to the African Union Stabilisation and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will succeed the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) later this year. The development follows growing diplomatic ties between Cairo and Mogadishu, particularly after tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated over Addis Ababa’s controversial deal with Somaliland.
AUSSOM, endorsed by the UN Security Council in December 2024, is tasked with supporting Somalia’s security institutions and counterterrorism operations as the country continues its fight against extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab.
