Somali President to ‘Asharq Al-Awsat’ : No Talks with Sisi on War Declaration against Ethiopia

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Cairo (Photo: Abdel Fattah Farag)
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Cairo (Photo: Abdel Fattah Farag)
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Somali President to ‘Asharq Al-Awsat’ : No Talks with Sisi on War Declaration against Ethiopia

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Cairo (Photo: Abdel Fattah Farag)
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Cairo (Photo: Abdel Fattah Farag)

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat after a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, played down the possibility of a war between Egypt and Somalia against Ethiopia.
This comes after a controversial deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, giving it access to the Red Sea.
From his residence in Cairo, Mohamud discussed the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea in light of the Gaza conflict, following talks with Sisi, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.
He clarified that Somalia is not about to declare war on Ethiopia but urged Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s sovereignty.
Despite tensions in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, Mohamud sees opportunities amid the crises.
He ruled out war with Ethiopia, stating that Somalia’s focus is on fighting terrorism, particularly the extremist “Al-Shabaab” movement.
Mohamud expressed willingness to negotiate with them if they abandon Al-Qaeda’s ideology and recognize the Somali state.
Emphasizing that his country hasn’t dismissed political solutions regarding the recent developments in Ethiopia, Mohamud clarified that there's “no official war declaration, neither from Egypt nor Somalia.”
He stated that talks with Sisi didn't involve planning a war against Ethiopia.
“We haven't discussed how to wage war. Our relationship with Egypt is long-standing and supportive over time,” affirmed the president.
“No new agreements or defense pacts are needed. Both Somalia and Egypt, as Arab League members, follow an Arab approach in defending themselves,” he highlighted.
“The framework is there. Our discussions focused on improving the normal relationship between two brotherly nations, enhancing economic ties, addressing geo-political and strategic issues, and, of course, security,” explained Mohamud.
He stressed that improving relations with Egypt doesn't mean targeting any other country.
“Our discussions were in the interest of both our nations and not a threat to another country,” reiterated Mohamud.
When asked about the possibility of a military alliance against Ethiopia, he said : “Our ties with Egypt are not meant to be against any country. We aim to support Somalia in self-defense, not to threaten anyone.”
“We don't consider war lightly, and Somalia doesn't want it. We are already dealing with a significant threat from terrorists like Al-Shabaab.”
“We are not planning for war unless it becomes necessary, and we hope it doesn't,” emphasized Mohamud.
Regarding talks with Al-Shabaab, the Somali President explained, “We won't consider war if Al-Shabaab acts rationally or has a national agenda. However, they are a global terrorist group following Al-Qaeda's agenda. If they abandon that ideology and recognize Somalia, we are willing to negotiate.”
He also denied having information about countries supporting Al-Shabaab, saying, “There might be sympathizers with Al-Qaeda in various parts of the world, but Al-Shabaab raises funds locally, and we are working to stop that.”
Discussing the current situation in the Horn of Africa, Mohamud acknowledged its complexity but highlighted potential opportunities.
He noted the world’s renewed focus on Africa due to various challenges in the region, such as Houthi activity, piracy, and Ethiopia’s considerations regarding Somalia.
Mohamud emphasized the importance of a Somali state, emphasizing that it can only be achieved by the Somali people.
He mentioned past attempts by the world to establish a state in Somalia without success.
However, he expressed optimism about the Somali people creating an effective state, with global support from the African Union and international partners.
He pointed out positive developments, including the lifting of a 31-year arms embargo and the cancellation of debts.
Mohamud stated that strong and responsible state institutions are developing in Somalia, instilling global confidence in government operations.
He sees this as a sign of Somalia's resurgence, expressing great optimism that the historical issues of state fragility are nearing an end.
Despite Somalia’s richness in resources and its vital global position, past challenges like state collapse, civil war, and fragility have led to poverty. The president affirmed his belief that Somalia is now moving past these challenges and entering a new phase.

 

 



Hevolution CEO Discusses Career in Innovation, Medicine, and Business

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
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Hevolution CEO Discusses Career in Innovation, Medicine, and Business

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation
Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation

Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, the largest philanthropy organization funding aging medicine in the world, expressed that receiving Saudi citizenship will boost his scientific and practical capabilities.
He said this new status will help him advance his research, especially in addressing aging.
This comes as part of a recent royal decree granting Saudi citizenship to several notable scholars, doctors, researchers, and innovators.
“Our Chairman, his Royal Highness (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman), has very high expectations of our work and the impact we need to do; We were created in part because of his vision,” Khan told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Living up to the expectations and challenges we get faced with is itself exciting, but it is challenging,” revealed Khan, affirming that Hevolution’s team is “up to that task.”
Khan, who has experience in both corporate and medical fields, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his work across academic, public, and private sectors has been a continuous learning process, with each area enhancing the others.
According to the CEO, these industries are interconnected, and combining their strengths often leads to the best solutions.
This insight inspired the Hevolution initiative, which brings together the scientific community, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, academia, biotech firms, CEOs, and others to promote healthy aging.
Khan highlighted the value of integrating insights from different sectors.
Academia provides detailed research, the public sector offers insights on population health and regulations, and the corporate world brings innovation and efficiency, explained Khan, adding that by merging these perspectives, the world can tackle complex health challenges more effectively.
“We’ve been working through, and are now investing, funding and partnering with over 200 scientists around the world, and over 150 different university labs,” said Khan.
Hevolution uses this integrated approach to advance healthy aging.
This initiative embodies my passion for addressing major challenges and offers a significant opportunity to make a global impact.
Khan talked about the first $400 million commitment Hevolution made in the last 23 months, calling it “unprecedented.”
“There has never been a non-profit organization in the world that has gone from not existing to now becoming the largest philanthropy funding aging biology and medicine in the world,” affirmed Khan.
Khan stressed that work at Hevolution not only pushes scientific boundaries but also promotes cross-sector collaboration to improve global health outcomes.
Since Khan’s early days in medical school, he’s been deeply interested in nutrition and population health, which was an unconventional focus back then. This journey set the foundation for his later work in community health.
Khan’s time as an endocrinology faculty member at the Mayo Clinic was crucial. He led programs on diabetes, endocrine diseases, metabolism, and nutrition, which strengthened his expertise in designing disease prevention systems.
In the private sector, Khan took on a key role at Takeda Pharmaceutical as the global head of R&D, which shaped his approach to innovative healthcare solutions.
At PepsiCo, as Chief Scientific Officer, he learned crucial principles of scale, impact, transformation, and tackling global challenges.
As CEO of Hevolution, Khan uses all his professional experience to advance the foundation’s mission of developing health sciences to address age-related diseases.
Khan serves on the boards of Reckitt Benckiser and the Saudi Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA).
He is the CEO of Life Biosciences, a member of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology strategy committee, and the chair of the advanced technology visiting committee at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Khan told Asharq Al-Awsat that he feels honored to have recently become a Saudi citizen by royal decree, while also holding dual US and UK citizenship. This helps him lead Hevolution effectively and work closely with international partners.
Khan commented on his recent Saudi citizenship, saying that in addition to feeling honored to receive Saudi citizenship by royal decree, alongside other distinguished individuals, this recognition is a great privilege.
Being a Saudi citizen, as per Khan, is a significant milestone and acknowledges the progress in his work in aging science and global health. It also strengthens Khan’s commitment to the work at Hevolution.
Khan noted that this new status enhances his ability to build relationships and collaborate within the Kingdom and internationally. It offers a deeper connection with the local community and better opportunities to engage with policymakers and leaders.
He also said that this recognition boosts Hevolution’s global presence and credibility, making the foundation’s collaborations with international scientists and business leaders stronger. It positions Hevolution as a key player in addressing age-related diseases.
Khan emphasized that this honor reflects the hard work and innovation of Hevolution’s entire team.
The CEO said that it was collective efforts that have made this achievement possible.
Khan also said he is excited to engage more deeply with the scientific and medical community in the Kingdom, adding that his new citizenship helps him contribute to Vision 2030 and the national biotechnology strategy, promoting innovation and attracting top global talent.