Africa Review
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Egypt has become the latest country to re-establish ties with
Somalia as the world continues to support the Horn of Africa country's
recovery effort.
A delegation led by Egyptian Foreign Minister
Mohamed Kamel Amr Sunday met top Somali leaders in Mogadishu where he
reiterated that his country's readiness to work with Somalia.
Mr Amr paid a courtesy visit to Somalia President
Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Speaker of the Federal Parliament Mohamed
Osman Jawari before holding a meeting with his Somali counterpart,
Fawziya Yusuf Haji Aden.
Ms Fawzia, who is also a deputy prime minister,
said that Egypt was in a good position to assist the Somali government
in important spheres.
"Foreign Minister Amr confirmed to us that Egypt
will help Somalia in various areas including security, defence, health,
education and empowerment of state institutions,” said Ms Fawzia.
She added: "We are pleased to have signed a number
of agreements with our Egyptian counterparts as well as the reopening
of their embassy."
"Our new approach will replicate the friendly ties
Egypt had with Somalia in the 1960s," said Mr Amr, adding that Egypt
would soon ensure it had full diplomatic presence in Mogadishu.
Mr Amr’s visit was the first by an Egyptian minister to Somalia in more than 20 years.
Following the collapse of the central government
in 1991, Somalia descended into lawlessness, forcing most countries to
withdraw their diplomats from Mogadishu.
A transitional government, backed by an African
force, is just starting to establish itself after major victories
against Al-Shabaab militants.
Many countries have since declared the resumption of diplomatic relations with Somalia.