Egypt Stands Firm With Somalia in its Dispute with Ethiopia

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has extended support to Somalia amidst rising tensions with Ethiopia over maritime access. The conflict escalated when Ethiopia signed an agreement to utilize a port in the self-declared independent region of Somaliland, inciting Somalia’s condemnation for infringing its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President al-Sisi’s commitment to Somalia’s security and stability was conveyed in a call with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Discussions included bilateral relations and regional dynamics, reflecting similar concerns raised by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad, in another conversation with President Mohamud.

Mogadishu, asserting Somaliland’s constitutional status as part of Somalia, denounced the deal as illegal and a UN, AU, and IGAD violation. Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia and appealed to international bodies to intervene against Ethiopia’s Red Sea aspirations.

The European Union criticized the agreement, emphasizing the need to respect Somalia’s sovereignty for regional peace. Concurrently, Ethiopia issued a statement indicating its ongoing evaluation of Somaliland’s recognition efforts, while Somalia demanded an apology from IGAD’s Executive Secretary for perceived bias.

IGAD urged Ethiopia and Somalia to seek a peaceful resolution, conspicuously avoiding direct criticism of the Somaliland-Ethiopia pact. This diplomatic quagmire, entwining regional stability, sovereignty, and recognition, underscores the complex geopolitics of the Horn of Africa.