Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia Discuss Horn Security as Ethiopia Stays Out
Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia have held high-level talks on Horn of Africa security, Red Sea stability and regional cooperation as diplomatic alignments shift and Ethiopia remains outside the discussions.
CAIRO (Somali Report) — Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia have intensified diplomatic engagement over security developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, with senior officials discussing regional stability, maritime security and closer coordination at a time of shifting alliances in the region.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate meetings with Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdulsalam Abdi Ali and Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, strategic partnerships and coordinating positions on regional issues.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions covered developments in the Horn of Africa and issues of mutual interest, including security challenges affecting the Red Sea and surrounding maritime routes.
The meetings took place as Egypt increasingly links the stability of the Horn of Africa to its own national security interests. Cairo has repeatedly said that developments around the Red Sea, including threats to maritime security and disruptions to international shipping, have direct implications for Egypt’s strategic interests, particularly given the importance of the Suez Canal as a global trade route.
The latest diplomatic engagement follows a meeting in Asmara between Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the conflict in Sudan and wider regional developments.
Egypt and Eritrea have maintained close positions on Sudan’s conflict, with both countries supporting Sudan’s military leadership as the Sudanese Armed Forces continue fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has controlled large areas of the country during the ongoing war.
Beyond security cooperation, Egypt has expanded economic and maritime engagement with Somalia and Eritrea. Cairo recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Mogadishu aimed at strengthening cooperation in maritime transport and ports. The agreement followed a similar maritime transport and Red Sea port connectivity agreement between Egypt and Eritrea.
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The three countries have also emphasized the role of Red Sea coastal states in managing the security and future of the waterway. Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia have maintained that countries bordering the Red Sea should have a central role in determining its security arrangements.
The growing coordination among Cairo, Asmara and Mogadishu comes amid wider competition over influence, security partnerships and access to strategic maritime routes in the Horn of Africa.
The developments have drawn attention from Ethiopia, which has increasingly prioritized securing direct access to the sea. In May, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Egypt of pursuing what it described as an “encirclement” strategy and increasing pressure on Addis Ababa following Ethiopia’s efforts to secure maritime access.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said his government will continue seeking sea access through peaceful and diplomatic means, arguing that Ethiopia’s growing economy requires reliable access to international maritime trade routes.
For Somalia, the closer engagement with Egypt and Eritrea comes as Mogadishu seeks to strengthen its role in regional security discussions while expanding partnerships in areas including maritime security, defense cooperation and economic development.
The meetings in Cairo highlight the growing importance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea as key arenas of regional diplomacy, where competing security interests, economic priorities and geopolitical partnerships continue to shape relations among neighboring states.
About the Author
Aden Warsame is a Senior Reporter at Somali Report, covering politics, security, diplomacy, business, and regional affairs across Somalia and the Horn of Africa.