Egyptian military delegation in Mogadishu ahead of troop deployment to AUSSOM
The entry of Egyptian forces into the AUSSOM mission is being closely watched, given fears that regional rivalries could spill into the Somali theater
A 16-member delegation from the Egyptian Armed Forces arrived in Mogadishu on Monday for a reconnaissance mission ahead of Cairo’s planned troop deployment to the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Led by Maj. Gen. Islam Radwan, the delegation was received at Aden Adde International Airport by senior officers from AUSSOM and the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF).
The delegation later held talks with AUSSOM leadership, led by Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), and attended a security briefing at AUSSOM Force Headquarters.
During their visit, the Egyptian officers will inspect key facilities in Mogadishu and forward operating bases to assess conditions for deployment, logistics, and the integration of Egyptian forces within AUSSOM structures.
Egypt’s deployment comes at a delicate time for regional politics.
While Cairo presents the move as part of its commitment to African peace and security, analysts view the decision against the backdrop of strained relations between Egypt and Ethiopia, largely fueled by disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile.
Ethiopia already contributes troops to AUSSOM and has significant influence in Somali security affairs.
The entry of Egyptian forces into the same mission is being closely watched, given fears that regional rivalries could spill into the Somali theater.
“Egypt’s presence in Somalia goes beyond counterterrorism,” noted Siyad Amiin, a Horn of Africa analyst.
“It is also about projecting influence in Ethiopia’s neighborhood at a time when Nile politics remain unresolved,” he added.
The Somali government, however, has welcomed the Egyptian decision, describing it as a show of solidarity among African nations in combating Al-Shabaab insurgents.
Somalia is under pressure to gradually assume full responsibility for its security as AUSSOM draws down in line with an African Union transition plan.
If fully deployed, Egypt’s contingent will be its first ground presence in Somalia under an AU framework, joining existing forces from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia.
Cairo has historically contributed to African peacekeeping missions but has maintained limited involvement in the Horn of Africa until now.
The Egyptian deployment could strengthen its operational capacity at a time when Al-Shabaab remains a resilient threat.
Amin, a regional observer, said the move is as much about counterinsurgency as it is about the geopolitical chessboard between Cairo and Addis Ababa.
