Since 2014, Egypt has focused on strengthening its African relations in general, and its relations with the countries of the Horn of Africa in particular, including Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia, in addition to Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and South Sudan. Eritrea is a key strategic ally of Egypt in the Horn of Africa region, and there is constant coordination between the two countries on regional security issues. The two countries enjoy strong relations, as Egypt supported and endorsed the Eritrean revolution until the achievement of Eritrean national independence in 1993.
Egypt has had a constant interest in the Eritrean issue, starting from the 1940s, and this crystallized in Cairo being chosen as the headquarters for the establishment of the Eritrean Liberation Front in July 1960. After Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia, Egypt welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, so that there would be a legitimate channel between Cairo and Asmara.
In this context, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki last Sunday, marking the eighth meeting between the two leaders in the past ten years. Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, the official spokesperson for the Presidency, stated that President El-Sisi welcomed the Eritrean President's visit to his second home, Egypt, noting the deep historical ties between the two countries and emphasizing the need to continue working to enhance these relations and advance them in various fields to achieve the common interests of the two brotherly peoples, particularly through developing trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Egypt and Eritrea. The President also affirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to supporting Eritrea's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The official spokesman added that the Eritrean President, for his part, affirmed his pride in visiting Egypt and meeting President Sisi, appreciating the development witnessed in bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as Egypt’s support for Eritrea’s development aspirations, and affirming the Eritrean side’s desire to intensify work with Egypt in order to strengthen the brotherly relations between the two countries and move them to broader horizons, in a way that achieves common interests and the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples towards prosperity and flourishing.
The official spokesperson stated that the meeting also addressed regional and international developments, with the two presidents discussing the latest developments in the Horn of Africa. In this context, the President affirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to maintaining the security and stability of the Horn of Africa, considering it an extension of Egyptian national security, and emphasized the crucial role of coordination between Egypt and Eritrea in preserving the stability of this region.
For his part, the Eritrean President affirmed his appreciation for the efforts made by Egypt to maintain peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region and to achieve comprehensive development in its countries, stressing the importance of bilateral coordination between the two countries in order to maintain the pillars of peace and stability in this region.
The official spokesman added that the two presidents also discussed the latest developments in brotherly Sudan, where President Sisi affirmed Egypt’s firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, security and stability. In this context, the need to end the current crisis and support brotherly Sudan to restore comprehensive stability was emphasized.
The two presidents also discussed the existing cooperation between the two countries to ensure the security of the Red Sea and freedom of navigation in it. President Sisi stressed the importance of intensifying coordination between the two countries, taking into account the exclusive responsibility of the Red Sea littoral states in governing it and maintaining security and stability in it. The Eritrean president expressed his agreement with this, and it was agreed in this regard to continue the existing coordination and consultation between the two countries in order to ensure regional peace and stability, and to support efforts to achieve comprehensive development in the region.
Red Sea security is of paramount importance to Egypt
Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, met with Osman Saleh Mohammed, the Eritrean Foreign Minister, last Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in the New Capital, where they stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries and continuing coordination and consultation on issues such as Sudan, Red Sea security and the situation in the Horn of Africa. Abdel-Aty also visited the Eritrean capital, Asmara, on May 16, accompanied by Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport, and a number of senior Egyptian businessmen and representatives of the private sector, in order to strengthen the frameworks of bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries and push the economic and investment partnership to broader horizons.
strong relationships
Ambassador Salah Halima, Vice President of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, affirms the strong relationship between Egypt and Eritrea dating back to 1993, characterized by economic exchange and technical cooperation through the Egyptian Partnership Authority. He adds that relations between the two countries are poised for significant growth, particularly in the areas of economics, trade, and increased Egyptian investment in Eritrea, especially in agriculture and capacity building. He also emphasizes the importance of coordinating positions between the two countries on several issues, including bilateral relations, the Red Sea, cooperation within the framework of strengthening ties with the Horn of Africa, and combating terrorism, particularly in relation to the Sahel region and the crisis in Sudan. Eritrea's 180-kilometer coastline on the Red Sea makes it a key partner for Egypt in securing maritime navigation in the Red Sea.
Halima explains that the Red Sea region is currently facing challenges stemming from two main factors: the first is the repercussions of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and the resulting escalation that has led to instability and insecurity in the region, especially towards Yemen, as well as the American-Israeli war on Iran. The second factor is the memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which lacks legal legitimacy, because it is between two parties, one of which does not have legal capacity, which constitutes interference in Somali internal affairs and a threat to the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.
He points out that Eritrea and Egypt are member states of the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea, which aims to enhance security and development in the region. Therefore, this visit is of paramount importance with regard to Red Sea security. He adds that Eritrea, as a Nile Basin country, supports Egypt on water security issues. Furthermore, the evolving situation in Sudan necessitates achieving security and stability and addressing the Sudanese crisis in a way that restores Sudan's standing and preserves its unity and territorial integrity. He emphasizes the need to prevent foreign interference in Somalia and to safeguard state institutions, noting that the security situation in Somalia is threatened by Ethiopia's stance.
Halima adds that Egypt has a historical role in supporting Eritrea since its independence in 1993, and before that through supporting Eritrean liberation movements. Relations between them have developed to include many fields, including security, economic and social. He pointed out that there are broad areas for cooperation, including the agricultural field and fish farms, in addition to establishing two medical centers and a dental center, under the supervision of educational missions from the Egyptian side to train and build capacities in many fields.
It is worth noting that Egyptian diplomacy played a prominent role when a border war broke out between Eritrea and Ethiopia, lasting two years (1998-2000), as Egypt sought to achieve peace between the two sides. Since Eritrea's independence, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has visited Egypt approximately 18 times. There is an understanding and agreement between Egypt and Eritrea on a number of important issues. Both countries consistently emphasize the importance of preserving the security, sovereignty, stability, unity, and territorial integrity of both Eritrea and Somalia. They reject any recognition of the so-called "Somaliland," which is considered a violation of international law, infringes upon Somali sovereignty and territorial integrity, and undermines the foundations of stability in the Horn of Africa. Both countries warn of the repercussions of such actions on the security and stability of the region and the Red Sea.
