Egypt, Arab and African nations are increasingly concerned about the escalating violence in Somalia. This week's fighting instigated by armed opposition groups such as the Mujahideen Youth Movement, better known as Al-Shabab (Youth), closely aligned to Al-Qaeda, resulted in the death of tens of innocent civilians and hundreds of injuries of bystanders. It is about time that the international community steps up its effort to save Somalia. It is against this backdrop that the Egyptian authorities are attempting to find ways of containing the fast deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Somalia. Egypt is prepared to do its utmost to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people. President Hosni Mubarak met with his Somali counterpart Sherif Sheikh Ahmed in Cairo a few weeks to discuss ways of boosting bilateral relations in all fields -- economic, political and social. The three-day visit by the Somali president comes at a time when Somalia is in dire need of international political support and economic and humanitarian assistance as the intensification of fighting in the country is taking its toll on the longsuffering Somali people. As head of the Transitional National Government (TNG) of Somalia, Sheikh Sherif Ahmed is determined to contain the political shocks his country has suffered in order to find a way of boarding the emerging markets' economic juggernaut. The political predicament the Somali president finds himself in is that the implementation of his vision of reform cannot take place before the a broader programme of national reconciliation is implemented. However, there are no guarantees that the Somali president can get the necessary policies past the more militant elements among his allies in the TNG. President Mubarak, for his part, stressed that Egypt has had "longstanding and strong fraternal ties" with the Somali people. The Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa is one of the most instrumental of Egypt's organisation to offer Somalia 40 annual scholarships to promising Somali students. Indeed, Egypt receives scores of Somali cadres each year including 15 Somali diplomatic cadres. Several Somali factions regard Egypt as one of the most important patrons of the Somali peace and reconciliation process. Cairo has long provided logistical support, food aid and medical assistance to Somalia. Egypt is also aware that Somalia needs assistance on a scale that Egypt itself can ill afford to provide. Yet Egypt is willing to do its best. The Somali president complained bitterly that the international community is not doing enough to save the country. And, Arab and African nations as well as Western powers and Asian economic giants could do more to save Somalia. The Kampala bombings is evidence that the anti-government forces in Somalia are now spreading mayhem to other neighbouring African countries. Egypt's well-heeled army of peacekeepers may yet find itself called to action again in Somalia. The Somali president welcomed any assistance military or otherwise that Egypt can provide. Egypt is prepared to collaborate closely with the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia in any way possible. Egypt also calls for greater regional cooperation to contain the terrorist threat in the region. The Somali president also noted that Egypt's support in the battle against terrorism is invaluable.
