ANTALYA, Turkey — Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has reiterated Cairo’s firm condemnation of Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, describing the move and the subsequent appointment of a diplomatic envoy as a “flagrant violation” of international law.
The remarks were made during a high-level meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where Abdelatty conveyed the greetings of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to the Somali leader.
Egypt Reaffirms Commitment to Somalia’s Sovereignty
Acting on directives from President El-Sisi, Abdelatty stressed that Egypt remains firmly committed to Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He noted that Cairo rejects any unilateral measures that undermine the Somali state, particularly following Israel’s December 2025 decision to recognize Somaliland — the first UN member state to do so since the region’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1991.
“Stability in Somalia remains critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and is closely linked to Egypt’s national security,” Abdelatty said, underlining Cairo’s pledge to support Mogadishu across military, security, and humanitarian sectors.
Deepening Bilateral Relations
The meeting highlighted a rapid deepening of bilateral ties between Egypt and Somalia. Since early 2025, the two nations have upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership, marked by the relocation of Egypt’s embassy to Mogadishu, the launch of direct EgyptAir flights, and a significant military cooperation protocol signed in August 2024.
President Mohamud expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s consistent support, asking Abdelatty to convey his greetings to President El-Sisi and reaffirming Somalia’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Egypt in a manner that serves mutual interests and promotes stability in the Horn of Africa.
Egyptian Troop Deployment to AUSSOM
Abdelatty emphasized the importance of securing sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The statement comes as Egyptian forces prepare for deployment as part of the mission, a move seen as a counterbalance to regional rivals and a boost to Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts.
The African Union Senior Security Representative in Somalia and Head of AUSSOM, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene Boly, has held in-depth discussions with Somalia’s National Security Adviser on strengthening cooperation and sustaining joint security gains. Both sides examined modalities for the planned deployment of Egyptian forces under AUSSOM, aimed at bolstering operational capacity and maintaining momentum against extremist groups.
Egypt and Somalia Unite Against Somaliland Recognition
The diplomatic fallout over Israel’s engagement with Somaliland has heightened tensions across the region. While Israel has moved to operationalize ties — including a visit by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Hargeisa in early 2026 — the African Union and United Nations continue to recognize Somaliland only as an integral part of Somalia.
Somalia and Egypt have reached an agreement to enhance diplomatic cooperation against measures perceived as threatening national unity and territorial integrity, following discussions between their foreign ministers during an OIC conference in Jeddah. The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to respect international law and back diplomatic and multilateral initiatives designed to protect Somalia’s sovereignty.
Economic Cooperation and Trade Expansion
In addition to security cooperation, the Egyptian minister called for boosting trade between the two nations, specifically eyeing expanded exports of Egyptian pharmaceuticals and industrial products to Somali markets. Abdelatty highlighted ongoing cooperation through institutions such as the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding.
President El-Sisi’s Firm Position
President El-Sisi has previously affirmed Egypt’s unshakable position in support of the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia, stating that Cairo’s categorical, unequivocal rejection of any measures that infringe upon this unity includes the recognition of the independence of any part of its territory. Such actions, he said, constitute a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law, setting a dangerous precedent compromising the stability of the entire Horn of Africa.
El-Sisi also stressed that the responsibility for securing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden rests exclusively with their littoral states, highlighting the special role entrusted to Egypt and Somalia given their unique locations at the southern and northern gateways of the Red Sea.
Joint International Condemnation
Egypt’s position aligns with a broader international consensus rejecting Israel’s move. Foreign ministers from 12 nations — including Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Bangladesh, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Kuwait — issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israel’s announcement to appoint a diplomatic envoy to Somaliland, describing the action as a clear breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Commitment to Somalia’s Stability
President El-Sisi has concluded that Egypt will always remain a sincere partner and a steadfast supporter of Somalia, pledging continued efforts to enhance security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
The meeting between President Mohamud and Foreign Minister Abdelatty at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum underscores the growing strategic partnership between Egypt and Somalia, as both nations work to counter unilateral actions threatening Somalia’s territorial integrity while expanding cooperation across military, economic, and diplomatic spheres.
