ADDIS ABABA (SD)-The Egyptian government has announced its participation in the new African Union Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), The Egyptian government stated that it will deploy units of its armed forces to contribute to AUSSOM.

These forces will include units equipped with armored vehicles and transport vehicles to support the mission.

The African Union has welcomed the contributions from Egypt and Djibouti, which have pledged to provide troops for this operation.

AUSSOM is intended to replace the previous African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is designed to support the Somali Federal Government’s efforts to combat Al-Shabaab and stabilize the country. The mission will also focus on securing areas that have been liberated from Al-Shabaab control.

Egypt’s involvement in AUSSOM comes amid existing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia and the ongoing dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Nile River’s water rights.