CAIRO (SD) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, speaking at a press conference after a meeting with his Somali counterpart Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, announced that Egypt has decided to participate in the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, “AUSSOM”.

“We affirm Egypt’s firm principle of respecting Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” he stated.

The relationship between Egypt and Somalia will be elevated to the level of strategic cooperation in areas such as the economy, trade, politics, military, security, culture, and educational cooperation.

Both countries agreed to provide essential equipment to the Somali military and police forces to enhance their capacity to combat terrorism and to improve the quality of equipment and methods through which Egypt can strengthen Somalia’s forces.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty emphasized the importance of the Red Sea to the countries bordering it, stating that it is unacceptable for another party to dominate it.

“We have agreed to support Somalia in various aspects, and Egypt will participate in the security operations of the African Union Peace and Security Council in Somalia,” said the Minister, without mentioning the agreement signed between Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara.