Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Cairo’s steadfast support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He stressed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any unilateral measures that could undermine the African country’s unity or infringe upon its sovereignty.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister’s remarks came during a meeting, upon directives from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Abdelatty conveyed El Sisi’s greetings and best wishes for continued security and stability in Somalia, while praising the deep-rooted and brotherly ties between the two countries.

Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s strong condemnation of Israel’s recognition of the so-called ‘Somaliland’ and its appointment of a diplomatic envoy, calling the move a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the founding principles of the African Union. He affirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia across political, military, security, and humanitarian fields, emphasizing the strategic importance of Somalia’s stability to the Horn of Africa and its direct link to Egypt’s national security.

For his part, the Somali president conveyed his greetings to President Sisi, expressed deep appreciation for Egypt’s ongoing support, and stressed Somalia’s keenness to further strengthen cooperation to serve mutual interests and enhance regional stability. The Foreign Minister also highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations, pointing to the launch of a direct EgyptAir route, the signing of a military cooperation protocol in August 2024, and the full relocation of the Egyptian embassy to Mogadishu.

He further cited the signing of a political declaration in January 2025 to promote ties toward a strategic partnership, alongside ongoing military training cooperation. Abdelatty also underscored the importance of boosting trade exchange and expanding Egyptian exports to Somalia, particularly pharmaceuticals and high-quality industrial products at competitive prices. He also emphasized continued cooperation through development programs implemented by Egyptian institutions.

The minister reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s capacity-building efforts, particularly in confronting terrorism and extremism, and called for securing sustainable funding for the African Union mission in Somalia to enable it to fulfill its mandate, especially in light of the anticipated deployment of Egyptian forces as part of the mission.