Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to embark on an official visit to Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday. The visit comes at a critical time, coinciding with early-stage talks between Somalia and Ethiopia currently taking place in Ankara, Turkey.

During this visit, Somalia and Egypt are expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement. The agreement will be signed by the defense ministers of both countries, with President Hassan Sheikh and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in attendance. Although the Somali Cabinet has already approved the agreement, the specifics have not been disclosed to the media.

Accompanying President Hassan on this visit will be key Somali officials, including members of the Somali National Army, the Minister of Defense, the head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The delegation will remain in Egypt from August 13th to 15th, a period when the Somali public is eagerly awaiting the results of the ongoing negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia in Turkey.

The visit to Cairo occurs against the backdrop of a long-standing dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The dam has significantly reduced the flow of the Nile River, which is vital to Egypt’s agriculture. Additionally, Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland, granting it access to the sea, has further strained relations with Somalia, bringing Somalia and Egypt closer together under the principle that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

As President Hassan prepares for his visit to Cairo, questions arise about how this trip will impact the talks in Ankara. Will Cairo’s strategy of defense and alliances take precedence, or will Ankara’s emphasis on dialogue and mutual understanding steer the course of events? The outcome of these concurrent diplomatic efforts could significantly influence the regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa.