Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, to meet with President Isaias Afwerki. Their discussions will center on enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations. According to a statement from the Somali presidency, President Mohamud is accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. Speaking to the media before departure, Fiqi highlighted that the talks would also address regional concerns in the Horn of Africa, with a focus on deepening cooperation on mutual security and stability.
Somali journalist sources, specifically “Gaylan Media,” have reported that Mohamud is expected to participate in a tripartite meeting with Egyptian officials during his visit. Should this be confirmed, it could lay the groundwork for a military alliance among Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt, possibly intensifying tensions with Ethiopia.
Last month, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a tripartite meeting with his Somali and Eritrean counterparts, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Osman Saleh, respectively. The talks emphasized political collaboration and maintaining stability in the region. According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the discussions underscored the importance of continued coordination to pursue shared goals and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
In a significant development, Egypt began delivering military aid to Somalia in August, marking a strategic gesture of support amid the escalating diplomatic dispute with Ethiopia. The shipment included 1938-millimeter M122 howitzers, anti-tank missiles, and large quantities of ammunition. The arms delivery, reported to be the largest since the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia, led to the temporary closure of the port of Mogadishu to facilitate the offloading. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry reiterated its solidarity with Somalia during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, emphasizing Somalia’s sovereignty.
In another move expected to increase regional tensions, Egypt signed a military cooperation agreement with Somalia, deploying 10 soldiers to Mogadishu, which has caused unease in Ethiopia. Egypt is reportedly negotiating a similar arrangement with Eritrea, which could also include collaboration on maritime security in the Red Sea. According to the Emirati newspaper “The National,” Egypt is considering mediating in the long-standing conflict between Eritrea and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a conflict that involved the Ethiopian military and only recently ended.
Egypt’s growing involvement in the Horn of Africa comes after it sided with Somalia in its territorial dispute with Ethiopia. The tension was exacerbated by Egypt’s controversial maritime agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared republic not recognized by Somalia. Under this agreement, Ethiopia would gain access to the Red Sea through the port of Berbera, in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. While Ethiopian officials have been vague on their stance, the deal has stirred significant regional reactions. Somalia has secured the backing of Turkey, Egypt, and Eritrea, while Ethiopia has reportedly enhanced its ties with Puntland, a semi-autonomous state within Somalia that has often been at odds with the federal government led by Mohamud.