Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki have reiterated their strong opposition to any foreign interference in the security and administration of the Red Sea, underscoring the importance of regional involvement in the area’s governance.
A statement released by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday revealed that both leaders made this declaration following talks on the current situation in the region.
The statement noted that Minister Shoukry visited Eritrea on Friday to discuss ways to strengthen the tripartite coordination between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia. This coordination was initially established after a summit between the leaders of the three countries in Asmara on October 10, 2024. The tripartite committee held its inaugural meeting in Cairo earlier this year in January.
Following this meeting, Shoukry emphasized, in a joint press conference with his Eritrean and Somali counterparts, that any military or naval presence by an illegitimate government in the Red Sea would not be tolerated.
Egypt and Eritrea have consistently opposed foreign interference in Somalia’s affairs, reaffirming their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. This comes amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa, especially after Somaliland – a self-declared state not internationally recognized – entered into a controversial agreement with Ethiopia. The deal, which grants Ethiopia a lease on a 20 km stretch of coast for 50 years to construct a naval base, has raised concerns about the future of diplomatic recognition in the region.
In January, Turkey facilitated a peace agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia, which included the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations. This development has cast doubt on the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement.
During Friday’s meeting, Shoukry and Afwerki also discussed preparations for the second meeting of the tripartite ministerial committee, which will be held in Eritrea’s capital. The two leaders exchanged views on various regional issues, including ways to promote peace and security in the Horn of Africa, support Somalia’s fight against terrorism, and address the evolving crises in Sudan, Libya, and the Sahel region.
Furthermore, the leaders discussed the security and governance of the Red Sea, a critical area of geopolitical importance. In addition, Minister Shoukry conveyed a message from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to President Afwerki, emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral relations between Egypt and Eritrea.
President Afwerki, in response, expressed Eritrea’s commitment to enhancing relations with Egypt in ways that reflect the historical ties between the two nations.