Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is visiting Eritrea to strengthen bilateral relations and may engage in trilateral talks with Eritrea and Egypt. Discussions will center on regional security issues affecting the Horn of Africa, with potential implications for military alignment against Ethiopia. Egypt’s military support to Somalia and ongoing diplomatic engagements with Eritrea underscore shifting alliances in the region.
The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has embarked on an important visit to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, where he is scheduled to meet with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. This meeting aims to bolster the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Accompanying President Mohamud is Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who indicated that discussions will encompass regional challenges affecting the Horn of Africa, particularly concerning cooperation on mutual priorities such as security and stability. Reports suggest that during this visit, President Mohamud may engage in a trilateral dialogue with Egypt, potentially leading to a military alliance among the three countries, specifically aimed at countering Ethiopia. Such developments could significantly heighten existing tensions within the Horn of Africa region. At the recent UN General Assembly in New York, a preliminary tripartite meeting took place among the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea, where the parties reiterated their commitment to achieving shared objectives, ensuring regional stability, and upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia. According to an official Egyptian statement, all parties underscored the importance of maintaining close cooperation on issues of mutual concern going forward. In a significant move, Egypt has begun supplying military equipment to Somalia, including artillery and heavy munitions, marking the largest military shipment to Somalia following the lifting of an arms embargo. This shipment coincides with Egypt’s ongoing commitment to support Somalia amidst its diplomatic strife with Ethiopia, a position that was reaffirmed by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Egypt is also exploring a similar defense cooperation agreement with Eritrea, which may include measures to safeguard maritime routes in the Red Sea. This consideration follows a visit from high-level Egyptian officials to Asmara, signaling a strategic bolstering of ties with Eritrea. Additionally, Egypt has aligned itself politically with Somalia in its dispute with Ethiopia, particularly following a controversial memorandum of understanding regarding maritime rights that poses a challenge to Somalia’s territorial claims. This agreement would purportedly grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through Somaliland at the potential cost of undermining Somalia’s sovereignty. This situation has elicited varied responses across the region, with Somalia receiving backing from Turkey and Eritrea, while Ethiopia has sought to strengthen its ties with Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia historically at odds with the federal government.
The geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa is marked by complex relationships among Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt. Following decades of conflict and diplomatic tensions, these nations are navigating a fraught environment characterized by security concerns and territorial integrity disputes. Somalia has undergone significant political changes and is currently receiving international support to stabilize its governance, especially in the face of challenges posed by Ethiopia and internal divisions. Eritrea, having engaged in a long-term conflict with Ethiopia, remains a critical player in regional dynamics. Egypt’s recent military support to Somalia reflects its strategic interest in the region, especially concerning issues pertinent to the Nile and regional security, amid its contentious relationships with Ethiopia over water rights.
The visit of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Asmara signals a potentially transformative moment for Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt as they consider deepening their military and political cooperation amidst heightened tensions with Ethiopia. The trilateral dialogue may facilitate a strategic alliance that could alter the balance of power in the region. As military supplies from Egypt bolster Somalia’s defense capacity, the landscape of the Horn of Africa remains precarious, with ramifications for regional stability and sovereignty continuing to unfold.
Original Source: www.agenzianova.com
