By Manal Abdel Fattah
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received at Al-Ittihadiya Palace President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the sisterly Republic of Somalia, to hold discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations and regional situations.
Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, at his residence in Cairo, during an official visit by His Excellency to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Gamal Rushdi, the official spokesman for the Secretary-General, stated that Aboul Gheit stressed during the meeting the Arab position on the “Memorandum of Understanding for Partnership and Cooperation” signed between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region pursuant to Resolution No. 8988 issued by the League Council at the ministerial level on January 17, which declared solidarity. We fully stand with the Somali state and support its position regarding this memorandum as null, void and unacceptable, and reject any implications resulting from it, whether legal, political, commercial or military, stressing the full support and solidarity of the Arab League with all diplomatic steps taken by Somalia to confront this dangerous step.
The official spokesman indicated that the two parties discussed all the diplomatic steps and means taken by Somalia at various Arab, African and international levels, where His Excellency the President expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts of the Arab League to support Somalia in this crisis, especially the statement it issued on 1/3/2024 and the efforts The Arab Group in New York to support the Somali position before the United Nations, as well as the recent League Council decision issued on 1/17/2024.
Rushdi also explained that the meeting discussed the hoped-for Arab role to support Somalia at all levels to preserve its unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as supporting it in efforts to combat terrorism and its roots, and strengthen its national institutions and economy in a way that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Somali people.
