Somalia says delay in Egyptian troop deployment is procedural, not political

Wednesday September 2, 2026

Military personnel stand guard on the day of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, October 31, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Mohamed Omar Balcad has downplayed concerns over delays in the expected deployment of Egyptian troops to the African Union mission in Somalia, saying the issue is procedural rather than political.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat last week, Ali Balcad said Egypt has clearly expressed its readiness to send troops to Somalia as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

He said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had visited Egyptian troops and inspected their level of readiness.

“The issue is not a lack of political commitment from Egypt or an Egyptian lack of readiness,” Ali Balcad said, adding that both Somalia and Egypt are ready for the troops to join the mission.

The state minister said the main challenge is ensuring that the deployment of Egyptian troops follows procedures and structures jointly approved by the African Union and the United Nations.

He said those arrangements include troop transfer and rotation schedules, logistics and transportation preparations, operational requirements and other technical matters linked to the mission.

Ali Balcad also said financial challenges remain a concern, particularly the need to secure sustainable funding for AUSSOM.

He said Somalia wants all plans and procedures required for the deployment of Egyptian troops to be completed as soon as possible so they can take part in security and stabilization efforts in the country.

Egypt announced its participation in AUSSOM in December 2024, four months after signing a military cooperation protocol with Somalia.

At the time, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the deployment came at the request of the Somali government and with the approval of the African Union Peace and Security Council.

Egyptian troops had been expected to arrive in Somalia in 2025 or early 2026, but the mission has faced funding and logistical challenges.