Egypt's future participation in a new counter-terrorism African Union mission in Somalia is designed to bring stability and security to the Horn of Africa country and not pose a threat to other nations, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Thursday.
The Egyptian leader's comments followed his talks in Cairo earlier on Thursday with Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after which they announced a “political declaration” that Cairo said will lay the foundation for a strategic partnership between the two Arab League members.
Mr El Sisi's assertion that Egypt's participation in the new AU mission should not be perceived as a threat was a thinly-veiled reference to Ethiopia, Somalia's neighbour with which Cairo has been locked in a bitter dispute over a Nile dam being built by Addis Ababa and which Egypt sees as a threat to its water security.
Egypt and Somalia have seen their ties rapidly grow over the past year as Cairo seeks to broaden its footprint in the strategic Horn of Africa region to counter Ethiopia's influence and persuade it to adopt a flexible approach in more than a decade of fruitless negotiations to resolve their dispute.
Bound by a comprehensive military co-operation agreement signed in August, Egypt has sent elite troops to Somalia to train local security forces in counter-terrorism tactics to fight the Al Qaeda-linked Al Shaba group. It has also sent weapons and troops to guard top government officials and key state installations.
It has, in recent weeks, been beefing up its contingent there in anticipation of its participation in the new AU force, formally called the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (Aussom). It will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis), whose mandate ended on December 31.
“Allow me to speak about our participation in that mission which aims to bring stability and security to Somalia,” he said after his meeting with Mr Mohamud, their fourth since January last year.
“It is not aimed at threatening any nation. Our participation is positive because we have been pained for over 30 years watching what's happening in Somalia.”
Egypt has in recent years negotiated access to military centres in Eritrea and Djibouti, and struck military co-operation accords with, besides Somalia, Nile basin states Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – steps widely known to be linked to Cairo's dispute with Addis Ababa.
Tension between landlocked Ethiopia and Somalia flared a year ago after Addis Ababa signed a maritime deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland to gain access to the Red Sea. Somalia, which viewed the deal as a breach of its sovereignty, responded by declaring it did not want Ethiopian troops to serve in Aussom, saying that they had not effectively reduced the threat posed by Al Shabab.
However, Mogadishu's relations with Addis Ababa have somewhat thawed following a Turkish mediation between the two neighbours in December. Earlier this month, Somalia and Ethiopia said they intended to restore full diplomatic relations after a visit by Mr Mohamud to Addis Ababa.
The size of the new AU mission in Somalia and the Egyptian contingent have yet to be formally announced, although Somali officials say 11,000 men have already been pledged. Sources have told The National that Egypt's contribution will make up about 25 per cent of the new mission.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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SUNDAY'S ABU DHABI T10 MATCHES
Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangla Tigers v Karnataka Tuskers, 5.45pm
Qalandars v Maratha Arabians, 8pm
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
