Somali President in Egypt as GERD Tensions Rise: Concerns Mount Over Somaliland-Ethiopia Talks and Addis Ababa’s Broken Promises

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Al-Alamein, Egypt, on July 6, 2025, for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. This visit takes place amid heightened regional tensions surrounding Ethiopia’s impending launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Touching down in Cairo on Sunday, President Mohamud is slated to hold discussions with President el-Sisi focusing on enhancing cooperation in security, trade, education, and regional diplomatic efforts.

The timing of the visit coincides with Ethiopia’s preparations to inaugurate the GERD, a colossal hydropower project on the Nile that has sparked strong objections from Egypt and Sudan, who worry about its potential impact on their critical water supplies. Addis Ababa has extended invitations to Somalia and neighboring countries for the dam’s opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of a possible visit by officials from Somaliland to Ethiopia, fueling concerns in Mogadishu that Addis Ababa may be pursuing destabilizing parallel diplomatic tracks. These fears are compounded by Ethiopia’s failure to inspire confidence during the Ankara Agreement negotiations in December 2024, brokered by Türkiye, where it fell short of providing credible assurances to regional partners.

In a statement released by Villa Somalia, President Mohamud expressed gratitude to Egypt for its hospitality, underscoring the historic bonds between the Somali and Egyptian peoples. He characterized the visit as a testament to these enduring ties.

According to Egyptian media, the two leaders are also expected to deliberate on maritime security challenges in the Red Sea and Egypt’s prospective involvement in the African Union’s AUSSOM peacekeeping framework, set to succeed the ATMIS mission in Somalia.

This trip marks Somalia’s intensifying diplomatic outreach at a time when the Horn of Africa is being reshaped by contentious transboundary water projects, shifting military dynamics, and a scramble for influence by foreign powers.