On October 4, 2026, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council head Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan met in the Egyptian city of El Alamein for a quadrilateral summit. The leaders discussed regional developments, coordination efforts for stability, and enhancing political, commercial, economic, and cultural cooperation.
The summit resulted in a joint statement, known as the "El Alamein Joint Declaration," emphasizing the importance of respecting international law for regional stability and cooperation. The leaders stressed the need to respect the sovereignty, independence, and territorial unity of countries in the region, and to promote good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs.
The El Alamein Joint Declaration also highlighted the importance of supporting national institutions and seeking peaceful and political solutions to conflicts. The leaders agreed to continue coordination among themselves and with other African countries on issues of common interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the national institutions of Sudan and Somalia.
In the context of Sudan, the leaders expressed support for the country's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while rejecting the establishment of any parallel entities. They called for the resumption of the political process in Sudan under Sudanese ownership and leadership, with support for national institutions and a complete rejection of external interference.
Regarding Somalia, the leaders affirmed their support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and rejected any actions that could undermine these principles. They also rejected any recognition or support for the so-called "Somaliland," considering it a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial unity.
The leaders discussed the situation in the Red Sea, emphasizing the principle of freedom of navigation and the importance of governing the Red Sea as a vital international trade route. They agreed that the responsibility for governing the Red Sea lies exclusively with the coastal states.
The summit also touched on the issue of transboundary rivers, particularly the Nile River, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law and the principle of not causing harm. The leaders rejected any unilateral actions that could harm existing water uses in Nile River countries.
Key points
- The leaders agreed to establish a follow-up mechanism for the summit's outcomes and to hold regular summits as needed.
- The leaders expressed their support for Somalia's efforts to combat terrorism and enable its national institutions to extend their control over the entire country.
- The leaders emphasized their commitment to promoting stability, development, and economic integration in the region.
