Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has stated that he is closely monitoring the agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia, as reported by the Anadolu news agency. President al-Sisi made this statement during a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The President of Egypt referenced the agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia, which was brokered by Turkey, expressing his hope that it will bring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa, according to his office. President al-Sisi and President Macron reportedly discussed bilateral relations and key developments in the Horn of Africa, Gaza, and Syria during their Saturday phone call.

It is remembered that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Turkey a few weeks ago and signed the Ankara Agreement. President al-Sisi voiced his optimism that this agreement will contribute to stability in the Horn of Africa and adhere to international law, as reported by Anadolu.

The President is said to have emphasized the interconnectedness of stability in the Horn of Africa with Egypt’s national interests. Al-Sisi confirmed that efforts are being made to support Somalia, whether through bilateral relations or the peacekeeping mission of the African Union.

It is also remembered that French President Emmanuel Macron visited Addis Ababa last week and held consultations with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The African Union Somalia Support and Stabilization Mission (Awsom) peacekeeping force is set to be deployed in the upcoming New Year.

The ATMIS peacekeeping force, currently stationed in Somalia, consists of troops from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Djibouti and has been actively combating attacks from the militant group al-Shabaab.

Meanwhile, Somalia has the responsibility for selecting the country that will contribute troops for the next mission in AUSOM. The participation of Ethiopia in this mission remains uncertain, despite its deployment of approximately 3,000 soldiers under ATMIS and up to 7,000 soldiers under a bilateral agreement with Somalia.

Relations between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu have faced tensions following Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which declared independence signed in January of last year. However, the two countries signed the Ankara Agreement in mid-December under the mediation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In recent statements, Egypt’s foreign minister mentioned that Egypt will deploy its army as part of the new peacekeeping force (AWSOM).