Egypt Daily News – The joint political declaration issued by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia highlights several key points following their meeting in Asmara, Eritrea, on October 10, 2024. Their discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between the two nations, supporting Somalia’s sovereignty, and addressing security challenges.
- Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty: Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Somalia’s unity, independence, and territorial integrity, emphasizing the need to combat unilateral actions that jeopardize these principles. They stressed the importance of strengthening Somali state institutions and enhancing the capabilities of the Somali National Federal Army to confront terrorism and secure the nation’s borders.
- Lifting of Arms Export Ban: The leaders welcomed the lifting of the arms export ban on Somalia through Security Council Resolution 2714 (2023) and praised the efforts of the Somali National Federal Army to improve its capabilities to ensure state control over its territory and resources.
- African Union Mission: They commended the African Union’s decisions regarding security arrangements post-mandate for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the upcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The two presidents highlighted Somalia’s sovereign right to determine the mission’s details in coordination with the African Union.
- Egypt’s Participation in AUSSOM: Egypt expressed its intent to contribute forces to AUSSOM and called on international partners to provide necessary funding, underlining the importance of global support for Somalia’s security and stability as vital to regional and international peace.
- Support for Institutional Capacity Building: There was an emphasis on the need for the African mission to assist in building the Somali state’s institutional capacities, alongside military efforts. Both leaders committed to supporting Somalia during its non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (2025-2026), advocating for African interests.
- Bilateral Consultations: The declaration concluded with an agreement to enhance ongoing bilateral consultations and coordination concerning regional and global challenges of shared interest.
Overall, this declaration reflects a proactive stance toward regional cooperation and stability, emphasizing Somalia’s sovereignty and security needs while fostering collaborative efforts between Egypt and Somalia.
