Jidbaale
Cairo(Jidbaale):-Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has reiterated his country’s support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity during a meeting with Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in Cairo. The meeting was held amid diplomatic strains in the Horn of Africa following Somaliland’s disputed plan to lease part of its coastline to Ethiopia for a naval base and commercial port. Madbouly stressed that Egypt remains a major priority for Somalia, restating the nation’s commitment to aiding Somalia in protecting its sovereignty.
The summit also highlighted recent efforts to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries. Two Egyptian C-130 military planes arrived in Mogadishu carrying military weapons, aligning with the joint defense pact inked in August 2024. Beyond military collaboration, Egypt and Somalia have also deepened their economic connections. Trade between the two nations grew by 88% in the first half of 2024, with Egyptian exports to Somalia expanding dramatically. Somalia’s exports to Egypt, especially cattle, have also expanded, demonstrating the growing economic interdependence between the two states.
Prime Minister Barre expressed hope for ongoing cooperation between the Egyptian and Somali business communities, stating that Egypt will provide all necessary facilities for any Egyptian investment that wishes to work in Somalia. Other major milestones include the reopening of the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu and the commencement of a direct jet route between Cairo and the Somali capital.
