Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi issued a pointed warning about the dangers of state collapse, using Somalia as a stark example of how instability can devastate a nation for generations. Speaking in Cairo during a January 2026 meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, El-Sisi framed Somalia’s experience as a cautionary tale aimed directly at Egyptians.

Standing alongside the Somali leader, El-Sisi referenced Somalia’s collapse in 1991, which ushered in decades of civil war, weak governance, and economic stagnation. He emphasized that once a state disintegrates, rebuilding institutions, restoring security, and attracting investment can take far longer than many anticipate. According to El-Sisi, Somalia’s struggle illustrates how quickly disorder can erase national potential.

More than thirty years after the onset of civil war, Somalia’s economy remains severely constrained. With a population of roughly 17 million people, the country’s gross domestic product is estimated at about $7 billion, a figure that underscores the scale of lost opportunity resulting from prolonged instability. El-Sisi highlighted this contrast to reinforce his argument that sustained governance and national unity are essential for economic growth, security, and development.

The Egyptian president’s remarks were widely interpreted as a message to domestic audiences, urging Egyptians to consider the long-term consequences of political fragmentation and unrest. By pointing to Somalia’s experience, El-Sisi sought to reinforce the importance of preserving state institutions and avoiding paths that could lead to prolonged chaos.

For Somalia, the meeting served as an acknowledgment of the country’s painful history and ongoing efforts to rebuild. For Egypt, El-Sisi’s message was clear: stability, even when difficult, is far preferable to the enduring costs of collapse. His remarks aligned with a broader narrative emphasizing unified governance as the foundation for national resilience, economic progress, and regional security.