Somalia was among key security issues discussed as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Cairo, alongside talks on Iran, Gaza, Sudan and Red Sea security.
CAIRO, Egypt (Somali Report) — Somalia was among the regional security issues discussed Sunday when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Cairo, as the two sides reviewed conflicts and geopolitical tensions spanning the Middle East and Horn of Africa.
The meeting, attended by Egyptian General Intelligence Service chief Hassan Rashad, covered developments in Iran, Gaza and Sudan as well as Somalia and wider security challenges, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's support for efforts to strengthen security and stability in Somalia and rejected what Cairo described as any infringement on the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ratcliffe, meanwhile, stressed the importance of continued coordination between Egyptian and US authorities on Sudan, Somalia and the Horn of Africa, as well as international maritime security, according to the statement.
The talks highlighted Egypt's growing focus on security developments in the Horn of Africa, a region that sits along major maritime routes linking the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Egypt has traditionally viewed stability in the Horn as closely connected to the security of the Red Sea and its wider strategic interests. Somalia's coastline stretches along the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, while the country has also been battling Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, for years.
The Egyptian and US intelligence chiefs also discussed cooperation in security, intelligence, counterterrorism, organised crime and transnational crime, according to the presidency.
The meeting came as the two countries sought to strengthen what Cairo described as a strategic relationship covering political, security and economic issues.
El-Sisi told Ratcliffe that Egypt considered the United States a key strategic partner and praised US President Donald Trump's efforts to promote international security and stability, the presidency said.
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Much of the discussion focused on the wider Middle East, including the crisis involving Iran. El-Sisi backed efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to resolve the crisis and restore regional stability while safeguarding freedom of international navigation.
He also reiterated Egypt's opposition to attacks on Arab states and called for regional disputes to be addressed through political and diplomatic channels.
On Gaza, El-Sisi stressed the importance of fully implementing the second phase of the US-backed plan to consolidate the ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.
He called for the protection of civilians and unrestricted humanitarian access, while supporting the resumption of a political process aimed at reaching a settlement based on the two-state solution.
Ratcliffe praised Egypt's role in efforts that led to the Gaza ceasefire and its continuing involvement in attempts to advance a broader peace process, according to the Egyptian statement.
The two sides also discussed Sudan, where fighting has continued to cause a major humanitarian crisis.
El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's support for Sudan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its legitimate state institutions. Cairo has repeatedly called for an end to the war and a political settlement.
The inclusion of Somalia in the discussions underscored the broad geographic scope of the security dialogue between Cairo and Washington, linking conflicts in the Middle East with instability and maritime security concerns in northeast Africa.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continued consultation and intelligence cooperation over developments affecting regional and international security, according to the presidency. (Presidency of Egypt)
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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