Meeting with Dr. Mahmoud Daher Aweys, Head of the Somali National Consultation Party

On June 3, 2021, the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs hosted Dr. Mahmoud Daher Aweys, of Somali-American nationality, head of the Somali National Consultation Party, and whom ECFA had previously received on November 18, 2020, to talk about Egyptian-Somali relations and the Ethiopian position on developments in Somalia, as well as his desire to run for the upcoming presidential elections in his country.

Besides Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, the meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Sayed Fleifel, the well-known expert on African affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Al-Shwaimi, former head of the Arab League office in Somalia, Ambassador Salah Halima, President of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, and Ambassador Ali Hefny, former Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs, all members of ECFA.

The guest also stated that the Ethiopian presence has declined at the present time, due to the withdrawal of part of the forces for the war in the Tigray region. However, the Ethiopian security and intelligence services are still taking the reins of the Somali state and Abdullah Farmajo’s support. On the other hand, he pointed out that the United States of America is still the most influential party on the political process inside Somalia, including humanitarian support, which froze due to Farmajo’s deviation, who was punished by the U.S. for his deviation from the current electoral track. The Arab facet of Somalia faces serious challenges due to the Ethiopian anti-Arab policies, as well as because of the Turkish policies, noting that there is significant Turkish and Qatari influence in Somalia versus Emirati influence in “Somaliland” and “Puntland”.

Moreover, while emphasizing his pan-Arab orientation, the guest mentioned that the majority of the Somali people believe that Egypt has a significant weight and stature, that it is welcome in Somalia, and also that Egyptian moves are the solution to besieging the Ethiopian influence in Somalia. He also stressed the importance of the Arab part, led by Egypt, to support pan-Arabism by supporting his election to the presidency. The meeting concluded by requesting the guest to prepare an integrated electoral program that embodies his orientations that he will present to the Somali people, whether it is related to internal affairs or foreign relations, as well as communicating with the concerned authorities to consider his question.