Leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia are holding a three-way summit in Asmara to address security concerns amid escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa, largely stemming from Ethiopia’s maritime agreement with Somaliland, which Somalia perceives as a violation of its sovereignty. The discussions aim to strengthen ties and foster regional stability against a backdrop of complex geopolitical rivalries and historical disputes.
On Thursday, the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia convened a crucial three-way summit in Asmara amidst growing tensions in the Horn of Africa. This summoning comes on the heels of a contentious maritime agreement signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland, which endowed Somaliland with coveted coastal access, inciting concerns within Mogadishu and escalating regional rivalries, particularly between Ethiopia and Somalia. The summit, attended by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and addressing security issues in the region, as highlighted by Eritrea’s information ministry. President Mohamud, who has made previous visits to Eritrea, engaged in preliminary discussions with President Isaias, emphasizing the essential collaboration needed to uphold Somalia’s sovereignty, integrity, and national unity amid its longstanding challenges. President Sisi, who arrived in Asmara for the summit, was expected to discuss enhancing relations with Eritrea and collaboratively working towards stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, aligning regional development goals with the interests of its peoples. Notably, during the turbulent backdrop, Somalia has sought closer ties with Egypt following the maritime deal involving Ethiopia and Somaliland, leading to a significant military partnership established between Somalia and Egypt in August, coupled with Cairo’s commitment to support Somali forces against the al-Shabab extremist threat. As tensions intensified, particularly regarding Ethiopia’s strategic port leasing agreement with Somaliland, Somalia has voiced its disapproval, labeling the agreement as a violation of its territorial waters. Furthermore, relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have soured, despite their prior alliance during the Tigray conflict, as recently evidenced by Ethiopian Airlines suspending flights to Asmara due to challenging operational conditions. Eritrea, often referenced as the ‘North Korea of Africa’, has remained under the stringent governance of President Isaias since its 1993 independence from Ethiopia, complicating its diplomatic engagement in the region. It is evident that the unfolding dynamics in the Horn of Africa are intricate, rooted in historical animosities and geopolitical rivalries, underscoring the need for robust diplomatic interventions and cooperative frameworks among neighboring nations.
The Horn of Africa has been marked by instability and conflict, particularly between Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea. The recent maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland has exacerbated tensions, as Somalia does not recognize Somaliland’s independence and views the agreement as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. Furthermore, Egypt’s historical conflicts with Ethiopia over water rights, particularly concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, have fueled additional friction in the region. The summit is a response to these ongoing tensions, aiming to establish a unified front among these nations to foster regional security and stability.
The summit in Asmara represents a pivotal effort by Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia to collaboratively confront regional insecurities exacerbated by Ethiopia’s recent dealings with Somaliland. This alliance underscores Somalia’s strategic pivot towards Egypt amid its disputes with Ethiopia and highlights Eritrea’s role as a crucial partner in regional dynamics. Ultimately, the outcomes of this summit may significantly influence the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, necessitating continued dialogues and shared commitments to stability and sovereignty among all regional players.
Original Source: english.alarabiya.net
