HornCurrent – Mogadishu, Sept 21, 2025 – Egypt’s latest declaration of “historic ties” and “strategic partnership” with Somalia is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to advance Cairo’s own geopolitical interests in the Horn of Africa. Far from genuine solidarity, Egypt’s policy is shaped by distraction, manipulation, and the exploitation of Somalia’s fragile leadership under President Hasan Sheikh Mohamud.
Analysts warn that Egypt’s moves are not about Somali stability but about leveraging Mogadishu as a pawn in its broader rivalry with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). By inflating its so-called “support,” Cairo is attempting to lure Somalia into a destructive regional contest that has nothing to do with Somali sovereignty or development.
The Hassan Sheikh Factor
President Hasan Sheikh has become the weak link in this equation. His reckless and inconsistent diplomacy makes Somalia an easy tool for Egyptian interests. Instead of defending Somalia’s independence, he has allowed Cairo’s rhetoric to dictate Mogadishu’s position, risking the nation’s credibility and long-term stability.
For many Somalis, the truth is clear: Egypt is not interested in Somalia’s future—it is interested in using Somalia as a strategic distraction front against Ethiopia. If unchecked, this path will drag Somalia into unnecessary enmity with a key neighbor, jeopardizing trade, border security, and regional cooperation.
The Way Forward
The only viable path for Somalia’s survival is not to bow to Cairo’s misleading overtures but to reconcile internally and strengthen federal unity. That requires President Hasan Sheikh to reach real political understanding with Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) of Jubaland and Said Abdullahi Deni of Puntland. Without that, Somalia will remain vulnerable to external manipulation.
Conclusion
Egypt’s so-called “strategic partnership” with Somalia is a false narrative. The reality is that Cairo seeks leverage, not partnership. Unless Mogadishu charts an independent and consistent foreign policy, Somalia risks becoming the battlefield of foreign powers—this time not through warlords or proxies, but through state-to-state exploitation.
