Egypt is forming a regional alliance between with Somalia and Eritrea
Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea announced the formation of a new regional alliance in the Horn of Africa, at the conclusion of a tripartite summit held by the presidents of the three countries in the capital, Asmara.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi, his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki pledged to work together to maintain regional security, amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.
The three presidents stressed the need to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, confront interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region, and coordinate joint efforts to achieve regional stability and create a favorable climate for joint and sustainable development.
The presidents agreed to deepen their tripartite cooperation to help Somalia confront various internal and external challenges, enable the Somali National Army to confront terrorism in all its forms, protect its land and sea borders, and maintain the integrity of its territory.
The summit also discussed the crises in Sudan and the Red Sea, and it was agreed to form a committee of foreign ministers from the three countries for strategic cooperation in all fields.
The summit is being held amid the ongoing war in Sudan, and tense relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, against the backdrop of a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway Republic of Somaliland, and the situation in the Red Sea.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated further recently, and relations between Egypt and Ethiopia are also strained over the massive hydroelectric Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo believes is harming its water security.
