Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, held a bilateral summit on Saturday in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, during their participation in the tripartite summit called for by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.
The Egyptian and Somali presidents agreed to develop and deepen cooperation and coordination between the two countries in order to enhance the capabilities of Somali state institutions to confront various internal and external challenges, and to enable the Somali National Federal Army to confront terrorism in all its forms, and protect its land and sea borders. And maintenance of its territorial integrity.
The two presidents welcomed Security Council Resolution No. 2714 (2023) to lift the ban on arms exports to the Federal Republic of Somalia and praised the efforts of the Somali National Federal Army, under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, towards strengthening its capabilities and possessing ways to develop its capabilities with the aim of extending the state’s control over its entire territory and preserving its resources and capabilities.
The political statement praised the issuance of a statement by the African Union Peace and Security Council regarding security arrangements for the post-term phase of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the intention to deploy the African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in accordance with the Somali vision, needs and priorities for the next phase in counter-terrorism efforts. Emphasizing the sovereign right of the Federal Republic of Somalia to determine the formation, tasks and time frame for the deployment of the mission, in coordination with the African Union Commission, and welcoming in this regard the offer of the Arab Republic of Egypt to participate with forces in AUSSOM.
The statement emphasized support for the Republic of Somalia’s call for international partners to provide the necessary funding for AUSSOM, and emphasized that international support for Somali and African efforts to achieve security and stability in Somalia is in the interest of enhancing regional and international security and peace.
The statement stressed the importance of the African Mission supporting Somalia’s endeavors towards building and strengthening the state’s institutional capabilities and enabling it to possess and protect its capabilities, in parallel with the mission’s military and security efforts, while pledging to provide all types of support and formulate programs supporting this goal in accordance with the priorities of the Somali state.
The political statement pledged to provide all forms of support and assistance to the Federal Republic of Somalia during its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026, as it represents the interests and priorities of the African continent.
The two presidents agreed to intensify bilateral consultation and coordination on a regular basis regarding regional and international challenges and issues of common interest.
Source: RT
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