Egypt will not tolerate any threat to Somalia or its security, said President Abdel Fattah El Sisi Sunday. Speaking in a joint press conference with visiting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, Sisi reiterated rejection of a recently signed agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to use its Red Sea port of Berbera.
Cairo supports Somalia and is against any interference in its domestic affairs and attempts to undermine its sovereignty, Sisi affirmed.
Egypt also backs Somalia in its fight against terrorism, Sisi told reporters, adding that Somalia is an Arab country and enjoys Arab League (AL) rights to joint defense against any threat.
President Sisi expressed his welcome and happiness over the visit of his Somali opposite and his accompanying delegation to Egypt, commending the achievements made during the past period under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh in Somalia.
At a joint press conference with Sheikh Mahmoud, President Sisi highlighted the successes achieved by the Somali president, including the fight against terrorism, which had caused long-term instability in Somalia for over 30 years. Sisi said Sheikh Mahmoud succeeded in relieving the burdensome debts on the Somali state resulting from recent economic hardships.
President Sisi stated that the Somali government, under Hassan Sheikh’s leadership, also succeeded in lifting the arms and equipment embargo that had been imposed on Somalia since 1991. He emphasized the strength of the Egyptian-Somali relationship, describing it as “historical.”
“Our bilateral discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud were very constructive in ways to enhance relations between the two countries in various fields, including political, economic, security, and military areas,” Sisi said.
He added, “We are always ready to develop our relationship with our brothers in Africa and in Arab countries. Somalia is an African and Arab country like Egypt. We are also ready to progress positively and with strong determination in all available areas. We always say that Egypt does not interfere in the affairs of countries and always seeks cooperation for construction, development, and rebuilding.”
Source: The Egyptian Gazette
