Egypt sends air and sea forces to Somalia to participate in African Union mission

Egypt sends air and sea forces to Somalia to participate in African Union mission

 Egypt is boosting its military presence in Somalia to take part in a new African Union mission to fight the terrorist group al-Shabaab, moving troops there by air and sea in what sources and analysts say is a significant step in Cairo's efforts to expand its presence in the strategic Horn of Africa region.

They said the move also marks a turning point in Egypt’s decade-long conflict with Somalia’s neighbor Ethiopia over Addis Ababa’s Grand Nile Dam, which Cairo sees as an existential threat to its water security. 

At Somalia’s request, Egyptian troops are replacing an Ethiopian contingent in the African Union mission that is being replaced, giving Cairo a significant military presence that could pressure Addis Ababa to show flexibility on the water dispute.

Egypt and Somalia signed a military cooperation agreement last year. Under the deal, Egypt deploys several thousand troops to act as military advisers to Somali security forces and provide security for the country’s top leaders, their families and key state facilities. 

The U.N. Security Council approved the new African Union mission last Friday in a resolution adopted by 14 of the 15 member states. The United States abstained, citing concerns about funding.