Egypt’s President El Sisi visits Eritrea to discuss bilateral relations amid rising tensions with Ethiopia, as Somalia’s President Mohamud also engages with Eritrea. The interactions highlight strategic partnerships in the Horn of Africa, driven by Egypt’s defense agreements with Somalia and shifting allegiances in an increasingly turbulent geopolitical landscape.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi of Egypt arrived in Asmara, Eritrea, for discussions with President Isaias Afwerki, as conveyed by the Egyptian presidency. This visit is reportedly at the invitation of President Afwerki and aims to enhance bilateral relations across various sectors while addressing the prevailing circumstances in the Horn of Africa and exploring avenues to promote peace and security within the region. Concurrently, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Asmara ahead of El Sisi, leading a delegation that included Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. Their presence underscores a significant moment in the Horn of Africa, which is currently experiencing heightened turmoil due to ongoing conflicts and regional disputes. The tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have escalated, particularly regarding Ethiopia’s megadam construction on the Blue Nile. This situation was exacerbated by a defense agreement signed on August 14, which allowed Egypt to provide weapon shipments to Somalia. Following this agreement, Egypt initiated discussions with Eritrea in September, aimed at strengthening military and intelligence cooperation, as noted by Egyptian foreign policy expert Rakha Ahmed Hassan. The burgeoning pacts with Somalia and potential agreements with Eritrea reflect Egypt’s strategic intent to bolster alliances in the Horn of Africa amid its conflict with Ethiopia. Historically, Eritrea and Ethiopia have shared a contentious relationship, characterized by rivalry, as detailed in a 2023 report from the United States Institute of Peace. Though a peace treaty in 2018 briefly eased tensions, Eritrea’s dissatisfaction with Ethiopia’s 2022 agreement with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) highlights ongoing frictions, as Eritrea regards the TPLF as a threat to its national security. Moreover, Somalia’s relations with Ethiopia have soured significantly since a memorandum of understanding was signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland’s government in January, which has pursued separatist aspirations since the 1990s. This agreement included recognition of Somaliland’s independence in exchange for access to Somalia’s Red Sea coastline for Ethiopia. As a result, Somalia has strengthened its ties with Cairo, leading to a stern warning from Somalia’s National Security Adviser regarding the expulsion of Ethiopian troops post-African Union peacekeeping mission. This peacekeeping mission has been renewed, with Egypt promising troop contributions for the first time as part of its efforts to solidify collaborations with Somalia since the current administration took office in 2022, as indicated by the Institute for the Study of War report. Egypt and Eritrea’s diplomatic relationship has remained robust since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, with Egypt historically playing a crucial role in mitigating tensions during the 1998 Ethiopia-Eritrea border dispute. Today, both nations continue to collaborate on regional security and engage in substantial trade activities.
The article discusses the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, particularly focusing on recent diplomatic activities involving Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea. As tensions rise between Egypt and Ethiopia over water rights and regional security, Egypt seeks to strengthen alliances with Somalia and Eritrea to counter Ethiopia’s regional influence. The historically complex relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia remains a significant factor in this geopolitical landscape, compounded by Ethiopia’s dealings with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and its engagement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. The article provides insights into how these interactions are reshaping relations among nations in the Horn of Africa amidst ongoing conflicts.
In summary, the discussions between President El Sisi and President Afwerki reflect Egypt’s strategic efforts to foster alliances in the Horn of Africa in response to escalating tensions with Ethiopia. The alignment with Somalia and potential military cooperation with Eritrea signifies a multifaceted approach to regional stability and security, underscoring the complex interplay of historical rivalries and contemporary geopolitical challenges within the region.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
