Egypt is poised to deploy its first-ever AU peacekeeping troops to Somalia as part of the newly inaugurated AUSSOM mission, with bases in key towns and Baledogle Air Base readied following a technical evaluation. The move arrives amid geopolitical tensions, notably Ethiopia’s objections rooted in its rivalry with Cairo over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and competing regional interests.

Deployment Preparations and Strategic Footprint

Egypt’s technical delegation, led by Major General Islam Radwan, conducted inspections and planning discussions with AUSSOM and Somali officials at multiple FOBs—including Bal’ad, Jowhar, Burane, Mahaday, and the Baledogle Air Base. These bases are currently under Burundian control and are strategically dispersed across central and southern Somalia.

This deployment will mark Egypt’s first direct troop contribution to an AU mission in Somalia. AUSSOM, which began operations in January 2025, is designed to continue transitioning security authority from AU forces to Somali national institutions. Egypt joins other troop-contributing countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya, raising both support and concern over coordination.

Regional Tensions and Ethiopian Pushback

Ethiopian Ambassador to Somalia Suleiman Dedefo has publicly criticized Egypt’s troop deployment, citing Cairo's lack of prior peacekeeping experience and warning of destabilizing consequences. He emphasized that Ethiopia does “not perceive the move as a threat,” provided Egyptian forces do not interfere with Ethiopian operations—though he warned of consequences if they do.

These tensions are closely tied to the GERD conflict: Egypt views the dam as an existential threat, and its expanding military role in Somalia is seen as a strategic counterbalance to Ethiopia's growing regional influence.

Strategic and Operational Context

Somalia’s government and the AU have openly welcomed Egypt's participation in AUSSOM, particularly given the mission’s funding gaps and the continued threat of al-Shabaab. At a regional summit in Uganda earlier this year, African leaders urged increased troop contributions, with Egypt among the potential reinforcements.

Egypt’s growing role in Somalia is part of a broader shift toward proactive African security engagement, serving not only to support stabilization efforts but also to safeguard maritime interests—especially the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, vital for international trade and Egypt’s economy