CAIRO, Egypt (Horn Post) — Egypt hosted a series of high-level diplomatic meetings on Sunday that brought together senior officials from the United States, Eritrea, and Somalia, underscoring Cairo’s growing role in shaping discussions on the geopolitical future of the Horn of Africa and Red Sea security.
The meetings focused on regional security, strategic partnerships, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Nile water security, as Egypt continues to position itself as a central diplomatic actor amid escalating geopolitical competition in Northeast Africa.
Egypt and Eritrea Deepen Strategic Partnership
Egyptian Foreign Minister*Dr. Badr Abdelatty met Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh in Cairo to strengthen bilateral ties and coordinate policies on regional issues.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers reaffirmed the historic relationship between Cairo and Asmara and pledged to expand cooperation in maritime transport, mining, infrastructure, port development, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, housing, and trade.
The discussions also reviewed implementation of a maritime transport cooperation agreement signed in Asmara and explored greater Egyptian private-sector investment in Eritrea.
Shared Position on Red Sea Security
One of the meeting’s most significant outcomes was the two governments’ renewed position on Red Sea governance.
Egypt and Eritrea stressed that the security and management of the Red Sea remain the exclusive responsibility of the region’s littoral states, rejecting any attempt by non-coastal countries or external actors to impose security arrangements or maritime jurisdiction inconsistent with international law.
The ministers also exchanged views on developments across the Horn of Africa, with Egypt reaffirming its commitment to preserving state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional stability.
Eritrea Highlights Growing Strategic Coordination
Eritrea’s Ministry of Information described the talks as part of efforts to elevate bilateral relations to a higher strategic level following recent meetings between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.
The Eritrean government said both foreign ministers agreed that substantial groundwork has been laid to deepen political, economic, and security cooperation while emphasizing that governance of the Red Sea must remain the responsibility of coastal states in accordance with international law.
Egypt Reaffirms Support for Somalia
In a separate meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty met Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali to review bilateral relations and regional developments.
Egypt reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity while pledging to deepen cooperation in security, trade, infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and investment.
Cairo also reiterated support for Somalia’s state-building efforts and called for sustained international financing for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The Egyptian foreign minister additionally urged Somali authorities to continue efforts to secure the release of abducted Egyptian sailors.
Somalia welcomed Egypt’s continued political, development, and security support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic coordination with Cairo on regional issues.
Egypt Restates Position on Somaliland
During the talks with Somalia, Egypt repeated its rejection of what it described as unilateral actions affecting Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry specifically criticized Somaliland’s recently announced diplomatic representation in Jerusalem, describing the move as inconsistent with international law and Egypt’s longstanding position regarding the legal status of Jerusalem.
U.S. Holds Separate Talks with Egypt and Eritrea
U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos also held separate meetings with Egyptian and Eritrean officials during his visit to Cairo.
Following his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty, Boulos described Egypt as an “essential partner” in promoting peace, security, and prosperity across Africa and the Middle East.
According to Boulos, discussions focused on Libya, Sudan, Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa, with both countries pledging continued coordination on shared regional priorities.
In a separate statement after meeting Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, Boulos said Washington and Asmara discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations, expand trade, support regional economic development, and enhance security cooperation.
He acknowledged the region’s complex security environment and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to promote lasting peace, stability, and prosperity across the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Egypt-U.S. Strategic Dialogue
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Abdelatty and Boulos also reviewed developments in Sudan, Libya, the Horn of Africa, and Nile water security.
Egypt reiterated its support for Sudan’s unity and a Sudanese-led political process while backing UN-led efforts to achieve a political settlement in Libya.
On the Horn of Africa, Cairo emphasized the importance of protecting state sovereignty and rejecting actions that threaten regional stability.
The Egyptian foreign minister also reaffirmed Egypt’s long-standing position on Nile water security, stressing that the use of transboundary water resources must comply with international law and reiterating Cairo’s opposition to unilateral measures affecting the Eastern Nile Basin.
Boulos praised Egypt’s role in promoting regional stability and stressed the importance of continued U.S.-Egypt coordination on key regional challenges.
Regional Geopolitical Significance
The flurry of diplomatic activity in Cairo highlights Egypt’s increasing engagement in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The meetings brought together key regional stakeholders at a time of heightened competition over maritime security, regional connectivity, water resources, and strategic influence.
While each delegation emphasized bilateral cooperation, the discussions collectively reflected growing international attention on the Horn of Africa as a critical geopolitical corridor linking Africa, the Middle East, and global maritime trade routes.
Pictures of separate high level talks in Cairo between Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and United States
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
Hargeisa, Somaliland
