Egypt sends deterrent message to Ethiopia, Israel with Somalia force display

CAIRO – Egypt’s military on Wednesday reviewed forces set to deploy as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, in a high-profile display attended by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa and concerns in Cairo over Israeli and Ethiopian influence in the region.

In a statement, the Egyptian armed forces said the Somali president, accompanied by Egyptian Defence Minister Abdel Mageed Saqr, witnessed the inspection of Egyptian troops assigned to the African Union mission tasked with supporting Somalia’s unity, security and territorial integrity. Egyptian Chief of Staff Ahmed Khalifa and senior military commanders also attended the review.

The army said the visit included a detailed presentation outlining preparations and logistical arrangements for the deployment, reflecting what it described as the forces’ high level of combat readiness and operational preparedness across various military branches and specialisations. The inspection was followed by field training exercises and a display of vehicles and equipment designated for the mission.

Egypt has not disclosed the number of troops it plans to contribute to the African Union force, which is backed by the United Nations. In military practice, such reviews typically precede overseas deployments, major operations or large-scale exercises, underscoring the seriousness of the mission.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi confirmed during talks with his Somali counterpart on Sunday that Cairo was pressing ahead with its participation in the peacekeeping force. According to remarks published by Egyptian military spokesperson Gharib Abdel Hafez, Sisi said Egypt was committed to completing the deployment “as part of its responsibility towards the African continent and its commitment to achieving security and stability across Somalia.”

Strategic signalling amid Horn of Africa tensions

Observers say the troop review carries broader strategic significance beyond its immediate peacekeeping role, particularly as Egypt grows increasingly concerned about shifting alliances and rivalries in the Horn of Africa.

Cairo has been alarmed by Israel’s expanding footprint in the region, especially following its recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway territory in northern Somalia, as an independent state. The move marked an unprecedented step in terms of international recognition and raised fears in Egypt that it could undermine Somalia’s territorial unity while setting a precedent for further fragmentation across the region.

Egypt views the Horn of Africa as strategically vital due to its proximity to key global maritime routes, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab strait. These waterways are critical to international trade and directly linked to the security of the Suez Canal, one of Egypt’s main economic lifelines.

Egyptian officials also fear that shifting alliances could lead to the establishment of foreign military bases or new strategic partnerships near these crucial maritime corridors, potentially complicating regional security dynamics and threatening Egypt’s long-term strategic interests.

Strengthening alliances with Somalia

In response, Cairo has deepened its military and security cooperation with Somalia’s federal government, providing training, equipment and operational support. The aim is to bolster Somalia’s national institutions and counterbalance external influence that Egypt perceives as destabilising.

For its part, Somalia has sought closer ties with Egypt and Turkey as it confronts persistent security threats and geopolitical pressures. The country continues to struggle to rebuild after decades of civil conflict, political instability and natural disasters, while fighting an entrenched insurgency by the al-Shabaab militant group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud began his latest visit to Egypt on Sunday, although its duration has not been publicly disclosed. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had announced in December 2024 that Egypt would participate in the new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, reflecting Cairo’s expanding role in regional security.

Ethiopian tensions add another layer

Egypt’s participation in the Somalia mission has also drawn scrutiny from neighbouring Ethiopia, with which Cairo has long-standing disputes, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt fears the dam could significantly reduce its share of Nile waters and has repeatedly called for a legally binding agreement on its operation, something Addis Ababa has resisted.

These overlapping tensions highlight the Horn of Africa’s growing importance as a theatre of geopolitical competition, with Egypt’s deployment signalling both its commitment to stabilising Somalia and its determination to safeguard its broader strategic interests in one of the world’s most critical maritime regions.