In an interview with Sky News Arabia, military and political analysts discussed the importance of the military agreement between Egypt and Somalia, and its potential impact on their strategic relationship.
Analysts assert that Cairo’s primary concern is the agreement between Ethiopia and “Somaliland” made last January, which drew significant criticism. Consequently, Egypt is actively working to strengthen its military ties with Somalia, particularly, and the Horn of Africa region generally, to address the threats posed by the Ethiopian agreement to its interests and national security. They also dismissed the notion that the Egyptian-Somali agreement would conflict with the agreement between Mogadishu and Ankara.
Military agreements…and the “Somaliland” crisis
Egypt and Somalia signed a military cooperation protocol on Wednesday, along with diplomatic and commercial initiatives, including the reopening of the Egyptian embassy in its new location in Mogadishu and the establishment of a direct flight service between the two nations. However, neither party disclosed additional specifics regarding the military agreement.
President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty over its territory, rejecting any interference in its domestic affairs, and emphasized the need to establish security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
In turn, Sheikh Mahmoud emphasized Somalia’s desire to strengthen its economic, security, and political relations with Egypt in the upcoming period, expressing appreciation for the role of various Egyptian agencies in enhancing the capabilities of Somali personnel across multiple sectors.
The Somali president previously indicated that his country had requested military equipment and additional training for its military and security forces from Egypt, alongside diplomatic backing as tensions with Ethiopia have escalated.
Meanwhile, under the agreement between Turkey and Somalia, Turkey will provide training and equipment to the Somali Navy to enhance its capability to guard its territorial waters against threats such as terrorism, piracy, and “foreign intervention,” while also conducting naval, air, and land military exercises.
The agreement includes provisions for Turkey to construct and sell military vessels to Somalia, allowing the Turkish Navy full rights to utilize existing Somali ports, develop new ports and military bases, as well as create Turkish and joint military installations in Mogadishu, which will open its airspace for both Turkish civilian and military operations.
Somalia has expedited its efforts to finalize military agreements with Türkiye and Egypt due to heightened tensions with Ethiopia, particularly following Addis Ababa’s signing of a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, which provided Ethiopia—one of the largest landlocked countries worldwide—a long-desired access to the sea.
Turkey has attempted to mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia, hosting negotiations last July in an effort to defuse the rising tensions between the two nations against the backdrop of the agreement, which has been rejected by Egypt and Arab countries, with expectations of a new round of negotiations next September.
What is the goal of the Cairo-Mogadishu agreement?
Egyptian military and strategic expert, Major General Samir Farag, states that the military protocol signed between Egypt and Somalia is primarily designed to support Mogadishu, thus achieving two direct objectives: the first is to eradicate terrorism, particularly from the youth groups that have emerged from extremist factions, and the second is to halt Ethiopian encroachment on Somali territory following the “illegal” agreement between Addis Ababa and Somaliland.
Regarding the potential conflict between the military agreements between Egypt and Turkey with Somalia, the military expert emphasized that “Ankara has no involvement in the Egyptian-Somali agreement whatsoever. Instead, Egypt aims to enhance the capabilities of the Somali army to eliminate terrorism and address threats to its sovereignty. Therefore, Egypt will deploy forces as part of the United Nations mission to aid in securing Somalia.”
Agreement for strategic interests
In statements to the “Sky News Arabia” website, Ambassador Ali Al-Hafni, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, stated that “there is no conflict between Egypt’s military agreement and Türkiye‘s agreement with Somalia. The primary aim has always been to assist Mogadishu in reclaiming its sovereignty and stability while contributing to enhanced security and peace in the Horn of Africa region.”
Al-Hafni highlighted that relations between Cairo and Ankara “have substantially normalized after a period of tension,” noting a return to high-level consultations following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Egypt, along with President Sisi’s anticipated trip to Turkey.
Al-Hafni, who has previously served as Deputy, remarked that the Egyptian Foreign Minister indicated that “Egypt possesses numerous capabilities and resources in military training and qualification, and thus will assist Somalia in enhancing its army to effectively combat terrorism and regain control over its territories amidst the prevailing tensions.”
He added, “When Somalia perceived a threat to its sovereignty and national security, it was natural for it to seek to strengthen its relationships with various countries and solicit their assistance in bolstering its efforts to restore stability and rebuild its institutions, including its military institutions.”
He explained that “the Horn of Africa is an extension of Egyptian national security,” which is why Cairo sought to establish security and political agreements with nations in this region, particularly Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, to safeguard its strategic interests.
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Key Developments in Military Cooperation
- Egypt and Somalia signed a military cooperation protocol on Wednesday.
- A new Egyptian embassy has opened in Mogadishu to foster diplomatic relations.
- The inaugural direct flight line between Egypt and Somalia signifies improving commercial ties.
Despite the limited details available regarding the military agreement, President Sisi has reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty while rejecting any form of external interference. This cooperation is designed to enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Strengthening Economic and Security Ties
Somalia’s President has expressed a desire to enhance economic, security, and political collaborations with Egypt. He highlighted Egypt’s significant role in training Somali forces and building various capacities.
In light of escalating tensions with Ethiopia, Somalia has reached out to Egypt for military equipment and advanced training. This request underscores the urgency of strengthening Somalia’s military capabilities amidst rising threats.
The Turkish-Somali Agreement: A Comparative Perspective
Simultaneously, Turkey has committed itself to supporting the Somali Navy by offering training and military equipment aimed at safeguarding Somalia’s territorial waters against challenges such as terrorism, piracy, and foreign interference. This multifaceted agreement includes establishing Turkish military bases in Somalia and granting extensive rights over existing Somali seaports.
As Somalia bolsters its military agreements with both Turkey and Egypt, it aims to address increased tensions with Ethiopia, particularly after Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which facilitates a long-sought outlet to the sea for the landlocked nation.
Military Protocols and Strategic Goals
Major General Samir Farag, an Egyptian military expert, elucidates the primary objectives of the military protocol: to combat terrorism emanating from extremist groups and to deter Ethiopian territorial encroachment following the contentious agreement with Somaliland.
The consensus among experts is clear: Egypt’s actions aim to enhance Somalia’s military capabilities without conflicting with Turkey’s arrangements. Egypt intends to send support within the framework of a United Nations mission to contribute to peace and security in Somalia.
Understanding the Regional Dynamics
Ambassador Ali Al-Hafni, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, stressed that the agreements with Somalia do not contradict Turkey’s role. Instead, they align towards a common goal: supporting Somalia’s sovereignty and stability while fortifying security in the Horn of Africa.
Relations between Egypt and Turkey have been improving, as evidenced by high-level consultations and a recent visit by Turkish President Erdogan to Egypt, paving the way for President Sisi’s anticipated visit to Turkey. Analysts contend that Egypt possesses the necessary military training capabilities to assist Somalia in confronting terrorism and restoring stability in the region.
Implications for National Security
Given the perceived threats to its sovereignty, Somalia’s strategic alliance with Egypt is seen as a natural response. The Horn of Africa, viewed as an extension of Egypt’s national security, necessitates collaboration with regional partners, particularly Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea.
Benefits of Egypt-Somalia Military Cooperation
Engaging in military cooperation offers several benefits:
- Enhanced Security: Strengthening Somalia’s military capabilities supports stability within the region.
- Deterrence Against Aggression: The collaboration may deter Ethiopian advances and ensure Somalia’s territorial integrity.
- Capacity Building: Joint training programs bolster the skills and efficiency of Somali forces.
Strategic Alliances in Practice
| Country | Military Support | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Military equipment & training | Terrorism, Ethiopian encroachment |
| Turkey | Naval training & equipment | Piracy, territorial defense |
Conclusion: A Path Forward for Somalia
Given the complex geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, Somalia’s military agreements with both Egypt and Turkey represent a strategic pivot towards enhancing national security. The collaboration with Egypt signifies a step towards greater sovereignty and stability, positioning Somalia favorably amid regional tensions.
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