Somalia in Crisis: How Egypt is Joining the Fight Against Terrorism and Drought
For more than 17 years, an intense, active, and continuous revolt against the Somali federal government has placed the entire country in an unstable state.
The instigators of the revolt are called Al-Shabaab, a militant group that has been attempting to overthrow the government. Most of their attacks take place in the country’s southern provinces, especially in the capital city of Mogadishu.
What Efforts Are Being Put To Help?
In an attempt to push for stability and safety in Somalia, one of the most recent efforts was a special meeting held between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and US officials in Washington, DC, on September 20.
He met with Mike Hammer, the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, and Molly Phee, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
In the meeting, Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s commitment to supporting the ongoing efforts to achieve stability and security in Somalia.
This includes combating terrorism and organized crime. He also spoke about the ongoing arrangements for the new African Union mission to Somalia and how this mission is important to achieving stability in the country.
Beyond Terrorism
When looking at the wider picture, Somalia is not just a victim of continuous attacks by Al-Shabaab. The country also faced a severe drought from 2021 to 2023, the worst one it faced in four decades, which led to a critical food crisis. This food crisis affected 7.9 million people, which is half of Somalia’s population.
How Can You Help?
Seeing as how the nation is facing a multitude of crisis, it is in need of help. One of the many ways you can help is by donating to the UN Crisis Relief or UNICEF. Any type of donation will help as the nation continues to face instability and drought.