Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued strong warnings regarding developments in Somalia and the security of the Red Sea, following Israel’s reported recognition of a breakaway Somali region and renewed regional competition over access to strategic waterways.
Sisi met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo on Sunday, where the two leaders discussed developments in Somalia, with a focus on preventing partition and safeguarding Red Sea security.
At a joint press conference, Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s “firm stance” in support of Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, rejecting “any measures that undermine this unity, including the recognition of the independence of any part of its territory”.
He described recognition of secessionist entities as a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law” and warned it would set a dangerous precedent threatening stability across the Horn of Africa.
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Sisi stressed that responsibility for securing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden lies solely with the littoral states. He noted the “special role” of Egypt and Somalia, given their positions at the northern and southern entrances to the Red Sea.
The Egyptian president said Cairo would remain a committed partner to Somalia and continue supporting efforts to enhance stability in the Horn of Africa and along the Red Sea corridor.
He added that discussions also covered strengthening cooperation in training and capacity-building through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, as well as expanding military and security cooperation. Egypt, he said, stands ready to share its expertise in counter-terrorism with Somalia.
Last December, Israel reportedly recognised the independence of Somaliland, a self-declared region overlooking the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea. Ethiopia had previously sought access to a naval and military port in Somaliland in exchange for recognising its independence, before tensions prompted Addis Ababa to step back. Ethiopia, however, continues to assert its strategic interest in securing access to the Red Sea.
READ: Expert: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey unlikely to allow Israeli foothold in Somalia
