Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended a formal lineup of Egyptian troops assigned to serve in the African Union mission supporting Somalia’s unity, security, and territorial integrity, underscoring Cairo’s expanding role in continental peacekeeping and security cooperation.
The ceremony, held in Egypt prior to deployment, was attended by Egypt’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, General Abdel Meguid Saqr, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, and a number of senior military commanders. The event highlighted the operational readiness of the Egyptian contingent and the growing military partnership between Cairo and Mogadishu.
During the visit, President Mohamud and Egyptian military leaders received a comprehensive briefing detailing the preparation and readiness measures undertaken by the deployed forces. Officials outlined training programs designed to ensure operational efficiency across combat, logistical, medical, and technical units, reflecting what commanders described as a high level of preparedness across all branches and specialties participating in the mission.
The program also featured live training demonstrations and a display of vehicles and equipment designated for use in Somalia. The presentation aimed to showcase the capabilities of the Egyptian contingent and its ability to operate effectively within a multinational peace support framework.
Egypt’s participation in the African Union mission comes amid continued efforts to stabilize Somalia following years of conflict with extremist groups and internal political challenges. The AU-led operation plays a central role in supporting Somali security forces, securing key infrastructure, and enabling state-building initiatives.
Cairo has long positioned itself as one of Africa’s leading contributors to international peacekeeping operations, participating in United Nations and African Union missions across the continent. Egyptian officials frequently emphasize that such deployments are part of a broader strategy to reinforce regional stability, combat terrorism, and strengthen African-led solutions to security challenges.
For Somalia, the presence of Egyptian troops signals deepening bilateral ties at a time when Mogadishu is seeking broader regional backing to consolidate federal authority and counter persistent militant threats. For Egypt, the mission reflects both its strategic interests in the Horn of Africa and its stated commitment to supporting peace and security frameworks under the auspices of continental institutions.
As Egyptian forces prepare to integrate into the African Union mission structure, military officials from both countries have stressed coordination, interoperability, and adherence to international peacekeeping standards, factors seen as critical to the mission’s long-term effectiveness in promoting stability and safeguarding Somalia’s territorial integrity.
