Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting with his Somali counterpart, Hamza Abdi Barre, on Saturday to address matters of economic and security collaboration, as reported by the Egyptian cabinet.
During their discussions, Madbouly underscored his administration’s commitment to enhancing economic, trade, and investment ties between Cairo and Mogadishu. The statement highlighted Egypt’s willingness to export essential goods to Somalia to meet the needs of its population. Somalia is currently facing significant security challenges, particularly following a contentious agreement made by its breakaway Somaliland region with Ethiopia in early January.
This agreement permits Ethiopia to lease a 20 km stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for a period of fifty years. Somalia, which considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory, has denounced the agreement as a breach of its sovereignty.
Madbouly emphasized Egypt’s dedication to offering comprehensive support to Somalia across various sectors while maintaining its unity and sovereignty. The Egyptian Prime Minister stated that fostering Somalia’s unity and assisting our Somali counterparts during this crucial period is among the highest priorities of the Egyptian government.
In response, Barre highlighted that the collaboration between Somalia and Egypt encompasses political, commercial, and investment domains, in addition to cultural and educational exchanges. He acknowledged the recent significant advancements in Somali-Egyptian relations, noting the initiation of direct flights between Cairo and Mogadishu since July and the establishment of a new Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu earlier in August.
The Somali Prime Minister also conveyed gratitude for Egypt’s assistance during this pivotal time, as reported by the Egyptian cabinet.