Friday December 20, 2024
Egyptian Foreign Ministry Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
Ambassador Ashraf Swelam, assistant foreign minister for African Organizations and Assemblies, reiterated on Thursday Egypt’s unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and stability during the ministerial meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC).
The meeting addressed security arrangements in Somalia following the exit of the current African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
ATMIS is a UN peacekeeping mission mandated to support Somalia in combating violent extremist groups and securing the country.
The mission, operational since 2022, will expire by the end of December.
A newly formed force, the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), is scheduled to deploy in the African nation in January 2025.
Ambassador Swelam, speaking on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty, reiterated Egypt’s commitment to aiding Somalia’s transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM.
He highlighted Egypt’s efforts under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s leadership in rebuilding Somalia’s institutions and economy.
While acknowledging Somalia’s progress against terrorism, he stressed the need for continued African and international support to ensure a smooth security handover.
He called on the international community to secure funding for the new mission through mechanisms like UN Security Council Resolution 2719 while commending the African Union’s contributions to sustaining regional peace and stability.
In recent years, dozens of Somali people have been killed and hundreds of others injured in terrorist attacks.
