Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Ministry of Defence has welcomed the completion of training for the first batch of Egyptian troops set to join the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia’s successor, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM).
According to officials, the Egyptian contingent recently concluded specialized training and will soon deploy to Somalia under the AUSSOM framework. The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) had earlier approved Egypt’s participation, paving the way for the North African state to formally contribute to regional stabilization efforts.
Egypt’s involvement marks a significant expansion of AUSSOM’s multinational character. The mission, established in 2024 to succeed ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia), is tasked with supporting the Somali National Army in combating al-Shabaab, stabilizing liberated areas, and facilitating the gradual handover of security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Egypt, one of Africa’s largest and most influential militaries, has long expressed support for Somalia’s stability but had not previously contributed combat forces. Its entry into AUSSOM is viewed as both a political and security milestone, strengthening bilateral ties between Cairo and Mogadishu while bolstering the AU’s commitment to regional peace.
The Somali government welcomed Egyptian troops who have completed training to join AUSSOM. Announcement made on August 26, 2025, following the conclusion of training. Egyptian forces will deploy to Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission.
To support Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab and help build the capacity of the Somali National Army. Through deployment of trained Egyptian military units as part of the AU peace and stabilization framework.
The deployment of Egyptian forces underscores Cairo’s renewed role in African security affairs and Somalia’s reliance on regional allies to confront enduring threats from al-Shabaab. For Mogadishu, the arrival of new AU partners offers both practical reinforcement on the battlefield and political reassurance that its security challenges remain a continental priority.