According to a statement from the Egyptian state information service, Abbas Kamel, the head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS), and Badr Abdelatty, the minister of foreign affairs, traveled to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, where they met President Isaias Afwerki.
In addition to following regional political and security developments, Kamel and Abdelatty conveyed a message from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to his counterpart in Eritrea regarding strategies to strengthen bilateral relations in various areas of concern.
Afwerki shared his assessment of the Red Sea developments with the Egyptian foreign minister and head of intelligence, pointing out that favorable conditions must be guaranteed in order to restore global trade and navigation through the Bab al Mandab.
Escalating tensions in the region were discussed
Also, the Eritrean president briefed them on his views regarding developments in the Horn of Africa and challenges faced by the region, as well as ways of boosting regional security and stability.
“The two sides agreed on intensifying efforts and maintaining consultation towards achieving stability in Sudan and supporting its national establishments along with preserving Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity,” continued the statement from the Egyptian state information service.
Ankara process is the only option for Ethiopia, experts say
According to region experts, “Cairo doesn’t give Ethiopia any leeway in this region.”
Ethiopia is isolated in the region after Egypt signed a security agreement with Somalia and rapproched with Cairo following Ethiopia’s signing of an MoU with the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Citing the Djibouti’s “full control over port” offer to Ethiopia, experts say that is not possible.
The Ankara Process is the only peace guarantee for all of the Horn of Africa, especially for Ethiopia.
“Somalia’s fear of further losses could lead to a war that would be the start of a “regional quagmire,” and the effects on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden would be most detrimental to the world economy,” said a regional analyst.
