Prime Minister: Egypt Committed to Supporting Unified Somalia

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed Egypt's unwavering and clear support for Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's vision for establishing a unified and prosperous state. 

The prime minister emphasized that Egypt has been and will remain committed, alongside the international community, to supporting the sisterly Federal Republic of Somalia.

He also noted the decision to lift the long-standing arms embargo, the adoption of concrete measures to alleviate the debt burden, and the holding of the Somali Security Conference in December 2023. He emphasized that these measures have created political and practical momentum in favor of the Somali National Army.

This came during the Prime Minister's participation, on behalf of the President of the Republic, in the opening session of the Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), held, April 25, in Entebbe, Uganda. 

The meeting was attended by Badr Abdel Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs.

Madbouly added, "However, it is unfortunate that, amid this momentum, we witnessed throughout 2024 a state of uncertainty and lack of clarity in the international community's prioritization, allowing Al-Shabaab to regain its strength and threaten the hard-won gains achieved by the Somali National Army throughout 2022 and 2023."

He continued, "We believe that the establishment of the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) provides an opportunity for the international community to refocus its efforts, renew its commitment, and demonstrate its resolve to assist the brotherly people of Somalia in their pursuit of peace, stability, and development."

He emphasized Egypt's welcome of the opportunity offered by this summit, given its opportune timing, for the Federal Government of Somalia and its partner countries to chart a clear path toward revitalizing the African Union Mission, overcoming the growing threat posed by terrorists, and preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Madbouly expressed Egypt's conviction that the role of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) stems from a collective conviction that the Federal Government of Somalia must possess the necessary means to lead this process.

He emphasized the need to focus attention on mobilizing all necessary empowerment tools for Somalia, and to increase its strength and training programs under the auspices of AUSSOM, to empower the Somali National Army and ensure its ability to maintain the operational gains it has achieved previously.

On his part, the Somali President expressed his appreciation to the countries contributing troops to the African Union Mission, stressing the need to exert greater efforts to achieve stability in Somalia in cooperation with the Federal Government.

He emphasized that the current development witnessed in Somalia is a result of the support provided by international partners, noting the internal dialogue among the people of Somalia and its success in achieving consensus on many issues.

He called on the people of Somalia to rise above differences and cooperate in order to build Somalia. He also addressed the Somali military's counterterrorism efforts, but noted the challenges of rebuilding and supporting the Somali army, as well as providing the necessary funding for the African Union mission to enable it to carry out its work. 

He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Somali government, the international community, and all partners to achieve security and stability in Somalia.