CAIRO – Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, has revealed that Egyptian forces will soon be deployed to Somalia.
In a recent interview on AlQahera News, Abdelatty said Egypt remained committed to supporting Somalia and bolstering its security.
This comes just weeks after Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea agreed on a joint initiative to build a capable Somali military force to defend the country’s borders and maritime territories.
“Egypt is prepared to provide any assistance the Somali people may need,” the Minister affirmed, pointing to the collaborative military efforts as a testament to this growing partnership.
This development comes at a time of heightened security challenges in the Horn of Africa, with ongoing conflicts in Somalia, tensions in the Red Sea, and Ethiopia’s internal strife raising alarms across the region.
Somalia remains embroiled in a long-standing battle against the Islamist extremist group al-Shabaab, which continues to undermine the government’s authority and destabilize the country.
The fragile security situation in the Horn has drawn regional and international actors to increase their involvement, making security alliances such as this one between Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea.
Egypt’s ambitions
Observers say Egypt’s decision to deploy forces to Somalia highlights Cairo’s broader strategy to exert influence in the Horn of Africa.
This move may also be seen in the context of its concern over Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, which has been a source of friction between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
The deployment of forces could be an indication of Egypt’s desire to expand its presence in the region and safeguard its interests along the Nile and the Red Sea.
Additionally, Eritrea’s participation in this trilateral initiative adds another layer of complexity to the Horn’s geopolitics.
Eritrea has faced international criticism for its role in the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia, where it has been involved alongside Ethiopian forces in the Tigray War.
However, this new partnership could help Eritrea rebrand itself as a stabilizing force in the region, particularly in support of Somalia’s fight against terrorism.
Somalia’s Growing Importance
For Somalia, the backing of Egypt and Eritrea may offer a crucial boost as the country struggles to build a robust military capable of handling its security challenges.
The Somali government has been heavily dependent on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which has been phasing out as Somalia takes more responsibility for its security.
With the joint initiative from Egypt and Eritrea, Somalia could gain the resources and military expertise necessary to secure its borders and enhance its maritime defenses against threats, including piracy and illegal fishing.
Egypt’s engagement in Somalia could also signal a shift in the dynamics of foreign involvement in the region.
Traditionally, countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar have been the primary external actors in Somalia’s reconstruction and military training efforts. Egypt’s increased involvement might create new opportunities for alliances but could also lead to geopolitical competition in a strategically vital area.
As the Horn of Africa continues to face overlapping security crises, the cooperation between Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea may prove crucial in shaping the future of regional security. However, it remains to be seen how this new alliance will affect existing tensions, particularly regarding Egypt’s broader regional goals and the simmering disputes over water and land resources.
Source: ChimpReporters
