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Tripartite Summit Brings Together Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia to Face Regional Challenges
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The joint statement between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia reflects a desire to form a unified front to address regional challenges, especially amid escalating tensions with Ethiopia over access to the s
Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia issued a joint statement following a tripartite summit held in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, on Thursday, affirming their support for Somalia and its territorial integrity, and their categorical rejection of any unilateral actions threatening its security and safety.
The statement emphasized the necessity of full respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the region's countries, and confronting any external interventions in their internal affairs. It also called for intensifying joint efforts to achieve regional stability and create suitable conditions for sustainable development.
The tripartite statement highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation and coordination among the three countries to enhance the capabilities of Somali institutions in facing internal and external challenges. It also confirmed support for the Somali army in combating terrorism and protecting the country's land and sea borders.
In a significant move, an agreement was reached to establish a joint tripartite committee comprising the foreign ministers of the three countries for strategic cooperation in various fields.
This summit came in the wake of a notable visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Asmara, where he met with his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki. The discussions covered ways to strengthen bilateral relations and examined regional situations and efforts to consolidate stability and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
These diplomatic moves come amid escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, especially after the maritime agreement Addis Ababa concluded with the separatist Somaliland region in early 2024. This agreement grants Ethiopia the right to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland's coast for 50 years, which angered the Somali government.
In a related context, Egypt had signed a joint defense agreement with Somalia last August and sent weapons to Mogadishu, a move Ethiopia considered provocative.
These developments seem to indicate the formation of a new regional axis comprising Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, in the face of Ethiopian ambitions for sea access. These new alliances are likely to shift the balance of power in the Horn of Africa region, with the potential for escalating tensions between the concerned countries in the near future.
Levant-Agencies
