The Federal Government of Somalia is advancing a strategic plan to provide a military base to Egypt, aimed at training the Somali National Army (SNA) as part of ongoing security operations and efforts to stabilize the country.
This initiative has reached an advanced stage, according to government officials.
Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar (Ali Balcad), revealed to state media that Somalia and Egypt had previously agreed on a military cooperation deal, and this move is part of its implementation.
As part of the agreement he indicated, Egypt will establish military training camps within Somalia, where Egyptian instructors will provide training to Somali armed forces.
The primary goal of this initiative is said to strengthen national security, a priority currently being accelerated by the Somali government.
“Egyptians are playing a crucial role in supporting the Somali National Army. We expect to establish military bases where Egyptian instructors will train our forces. Naturally, whoever trains or equips your army is directly contributing to the battle you are engaged in,” Minister Ali Balcad stated during his media briefing.
He further emphasized that Egypt has consistently supported Somalia’s military, previously training Somali officers with advanced expertise and experience.
This development comes shortly after Somalia and Egypt signed key agreements on security cooperation between Cairo and Mogadishu. Additionally, Egypt has been granted a role in the African Union-led AUSSOM mission, which commenced operations in Somalia this year.
Egyptian forces are expected to arrive in Somalia via air and sea as part of the broader military support plan.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s administration has previously supplied Somalia with weapons and military equipment to bolster the Somali National Army, which was recently handed over to the Somali government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
