Somalia, Egypt Reach Agreement on Troop Contribution to AU Mission

Somalia has concluded technical discussions with Egypt regarding Cairo’s participation in the African Union-led peacekeeping force, known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (Aussom), marking a significant step in bolstering the country’s fight against the al-Shabaab militant group, Bloomberg reports.

Somalia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that it “looks forward to their contribution alongside other troop-partner nations.” This agreement signifies a broader effort to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation and follows years of conflict involving the al-Shabaab group.

Aussom, which will take over from the previous UN-backed peacekeeping force, will also include soldiers from neighboring Ethiopia. Ethiopia has been a key contributor to the counter-terrorism efforts in Somalia for nearly two decades. The ongoing mission aims to strengthen Somalia’s security and reduce the influence of al-Shabaab.

The inclusion of Egypt in the AU mission is notable given the complex political landscape in the region. Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have been on an upward trajectory following mediation efforts by Turkey. This improving relationship is crucial for regional cooperation in addressing security threats.

However, tensions have historically simmered between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, a primary tributary of the Nile River. Egypt has long expressed concerns that the dam’s reservoir could affect its access to fresh water, its main source. Despite these tensions, both nations are now joining forces under the banner of the AU to stabilize Somalia.