Cairo (Kaab TV) – Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, stated today that Somalia holds a unique strategic importance, describing it as “a cornerstone of national security for Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa.”
He made these remarks at a panel discussion titled “Governance Emerging in Somalia: Coordinated Strategies to Safeguard Achievements”, held at the Doha Forum.
The minister emphasized that Somalia faces overlapping challenges requiring a unified plan and international cooperation to consolidate the progress already made.
He pointed out that there are forces attempting to turn the Red Sea region into a site of political rivalry, which could threaten Somalia’s unity and sovereignty.
Dr. Abdel Aaty explained that Egypt’s policy toward Somalia is based on several principles, most importantly supporting Somalia’s territorial integrity, rejecting any attempts to alter the facts on the ground, and contributing to the development of government institutions capable of ensuring security, preventing terrorism, and upholding the rule of law.
He specifically highlighted Egypt’s role in training, education, and knowledge development, noting that hundreds of Somali personnel have benefited from programs offered by Egyptian institutions such as Al-Azhar, national universities, and the Cairo Institute for Conflict Resolution.
Continuing, he warned about the new challenges facing the country, including terrorism and the difficult circumstances accompanying the state-building process.
The minister also stressed the importance of the African Union’s role in supporting and stabilizing Somalia, noting that Egypt’s participation reflects its strategic responsibility for the region’s security.
He cautioned the international community about the ongoing decline in funding for operations in Somalia.
Finally, Dr. Abdel Aaty called for sustained and sufficient financing for the AUSSOM mission to enable it to fulfill its duties and support Somali forces during the transitional phase.