The leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia convened for a three-way summit in Asmara on Thursday. This meeting comes against a backdrop of rising tensions in the Horn of Africa region.
Concerns about security and stability in this volatile area have surged recently. The tensions escalated after Ethiopia signed a controversial maritime agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, in January.
This agreement allows Somaliland access to the sea, angering the Somali government and exacerbating regional rivalries. Relations between Ethiopia and neighboring Somalia have deteriorated, further straining ties with Egypt.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met in Asmara. Mohamud’s office confirmed the meeting via a post on X, accompanied by photographs of the leaders.
Eritrea’s information ministry previously announced that the summit would focus on enhancing ties among the three countries. The ministry emphasized that discussions would also address regional security and stability concerns.
Upon his arrival late Wednesday, President Mohamud held separate talks with President Afwerki. They discussed enhancing cooperation to maintain Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
President Sisi arrived on Thursday, marking his first visit to Asmara. He is expected to engage in discussions with President Afwerki before the summit begins.
Tensions escalated following the memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland. This agreement allows Ethiopia, a large landlocked nation, to lease coastline from Somaliland for a naval base and port.
Mogadishu views this deal as an infringement on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia has intensified its partnership with Egypt, culminating in a significant military agreement signed in August.
Cairo has pledged troops for a new African Union mission targeting the Al-Shabaab jihadist group. Longstanding disputes between Egypt and Ethiopia, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, continue to complicate relations.
