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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egypt’s Minister of Defense, Gen. Abdel Mageed Saqr, attended a military formation ceremony on Wednesday in Egypt for Egyptian troops preparing to deploy to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The event was also attended by Egypt’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Khalifa, and other senior military officials.
During the ceremony, officials were briefed on the troops’ preparation, training, and equipment. The presentation highlighted their combat readiness across different branches and specialties, showing the vehicles, tools, and exercises that will support their mission. The Egyptian military said its forces have undergone intensive professional training to ensure they can perform effectively in varied operational conditions.
Egypt emphasized that its involvement in Somalia reflects its long-standing commitment to promoting peace and security in Africa. The deployment comes after discussions in Cairo between President Hassan Sheikh and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. At a joint press conference, el-Sisi confirmed that Egypt is moving forward with the mission, stressing its role in supporting stability both in Somalia and across the continent.
In a September 2025 interview, President Hassan Sheikh said the Egyptian troops would take over Sector Five in the Middle Shabelle region, replacing Burundian forces. They are expected to be stationed between the districts of Balcad and Mahaday. He also clarified that reports suggesting Egyptian troops would deploy to the Gedo region near the Ethiopian border were incorrect, noting that Ethiopian forces are already operating there.
Egypt’s participation in AUSSOM was approved by the African Union Peace and Security Council in late 2024 and formalized through a bilateral security agreement with Somalia in January 2025. AUSSOM, which replaced the previous AU mission, aims to assist Somali security forces in countering al-Shabab and stabilizing areas liberated from militant control. The mission supports Somalia’s broader goal of achieving greater security independence and strengthening governance across the country.
The collaboration reflects a growing partnership between Somalia and Egypt in security matters and highlights the African Union’s role in coordinating international support to stabilize regions affected by conflict. By deploying well-trained Egyptian troops, the mission hopes to enhance operational effectiveness, protect communities, and provide a stable environment for development and governance initiatives. Both Somali and Egyptian leaders have stressed that this effort is part of a long-term commitment to peace, not only for Somalia but for the wider region.