Egypt and Somalia sign strategic partnership agreement

The presidents of Egypt and Somalia signed a joint political declaration on Thursday, formalising their efforts to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. The meeting, held in Cairo, marked a pivotal step in strengthening cooperation between the two nations across a range of areas, including trade, culture, and security.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for discussions that culminated in the signing of the declaration. During their meeting, the two leaders also finalised an agreement granting mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic passports, allowing stays for up to 90 days.

At a press conference following the talks, President Sisi emphasised the broad scope of the agreement, which aims to establish close ties in political, military, cultural, and economic areas.

He announced the creation of a mechanism for annual political consultations at the summit level, which will monitor progress and identify further opportunities for collaboration.

"The declaration stipulates holding annual political consultations at the summit level to follow up on the overall developments in relations between our two countries and to explore measures to enhance cooperation in various fields," Sisi said.

This agreement builds on recent efforts by both countries to deepen their relationship. Over the past year, high-level exchanges have focused on enhancing cooperation in critical sectors, including education, security, economics, and defence.

Military cooperation

In August 2024, both leaders witnessed the signing of a military cooperation protocol in Cairo, a milestone in their partnership.

During Thursday's press conference, President Sisi highlighted the importance of implementing the protocol to strengthen Somalia's national institutions and security capabilities. He noted the shared commitment to combating terrorism and countering extremist threats, which pose challenges to regional stability.

President Sisi also discussed the role of Egyptian forces in supporting Somalia's security efforts, including their involvement in the recently established African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

He reiterated Egypt's support for Somalia's sovereignty and unity, emphasising that this partnership aims to help the country achieve long-term security and stability.

"Our support is offered both bilaterally and through our active participation in the African Union peacekeeping mission, as requested by Somalia," Sisi said. "We are ready to provide technical expertise to strengthen Somalia's ability to address security challenges and enhance its institutions."

President Hassan Sheikh also spoke at the press conference, emphasising that the agreements signed with Egypt are not intended to harm any other countries.

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"The agreements we signed with Egypt today and the elevation of relations to the level of strategic partnership are not aimed at harming other countries," he stated.

Somalia has faced recent tensions with Ethiopia following a 2024 agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty. Somalia firmly opposes the deal, which would grant Ethiopia potential access to the sea in exchange for Somaliland's recognition as an independent state. Egypt has consistently supported Somalia's stance, reaffirming its commitment to the country's territorial integrity.

However, there has been progress in reducing regional tensions. Last month, Somalia and Ethiopia reached an agreement to resolve their dispute over Somaliland. The resolution, mediated by Turkey, marks a significant step toward fostering stability in the Horn of Africa.

The new partnership between Egypt and Somalia also includes initiatives to expand trade and cultural exchanges. Both nations have highlighted the importance of such collaborations in fostering mutual understanding and economic growth.

In addition to the political declaration and military cooperation, Egypt has offered technical support in areas such as education and governance. These initiatives aim to bolster Somalia's institutional capacity and address key challenges facing the country.