Somalia, Egypt leaders meet in Alamein during Africa business forum

Cairo, Egypt (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met Saturday in Alamein city to discuss Somalia’s internal situation and security issues in the Horn of Africa.

The meeting took place as Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the Alamein Africa Forum, which is focused on investment, trade and economic cooperation across the continent.

El-Sisi said Egypt supports Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and would continue supporting Somalia’s national institutions.

President Hassan Sheikh highlighted the importance of relations between Somalia and Egypt and thanked Cairo for its support in political, security and development sectors.

The Egyptian presidency said the two sides also discussed the importance of building consensus among Somalia’s political factions and different sections of society.

The presidents exchanged views on regional security, including cooperation among Somalia, Egypt and other regional states on the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea.

President Hassan Sheikh and his delegation are taking part in the Alamein Africa Forum, where discussions are focused on investment opportunities, trade expansion and strengthening economic cooperation among African countries.

The meetings also aim to accelerate Africa’s economic integration, develop economic infrastructure and expand cooperation between governments, institutions and the private sector.

Somalia’s participation gives the federal government an opportunity to present the country’s investment potential and highlight areas where it seeks to strengthen economic ties with other African nations.

The first Alamein Africa Forum opened Friday in the northern Egyptian coastal city, bringing together about 1,500 African business leaders to discuss investment, trade and economic cooperation.

The forum, which runs from Oct. 2 to 4, is co-organized by the Egyptian government, the African Export-Import Bank and the African Union Development Agency.