Egypt Prepares to Deploy Troops to Somalia Amid Sudan War, Ethiopia Tensions
Egypt is preparing to deploy military personnel to Somalia as tensions escalate across the Horn of Africa, with Cairo strengthening security ties with Mogadishu amid its rivalry with Ethiopia and the continuing war in neighbouring Sudan.
Egyptian military advisers, trainers and officers are reportedly preparing for the deployment, which would form part of a 2024 military cooperation agreement between Egypt and Somalia and could also support the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The size of the contingent and its precise operational role have not been officially disclosed. Reports indicate that Egyptian troops could be stationed near Ceelcade, north of Mogadishu, although the deployment arrangements remain subject to confirmation.
The move comes as Egypt and Ethiopia remain locked in a dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo views as a potential threat to its vital Nile water supply. Relations have deteriorated further following renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and escalating tensions involving neighbouring Eritrea.
Ethiopia has accused Egypt and other regional countries of supporting forces opposing its government, allegations they have denied. The rivalry has also been shaped by Somalia’s strategic position and Ethiopia’s efforts to secure access to the Red Sea.
On October 4, the leaders of Egypt, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea met in Egypt, pledging greater regional coordination and respect for national sovereignty. The meeting took place as Sudan’s civil war continued and fighting in Ethiopia raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
For Somalia, Egyptian participation could strengthen efforts to combat al-Shabaab militants and support national security forces. However, the deployment also risks deepening regional rivalries if military cooperation becomes entangled in the wider confrontation between Egypt and Ethiopia.
The immediate question is whether the deployment will primarily reinforce Somalia’s security operations or become part of a broader strategic contest for influence across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
