The leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan have agreed to establish a regular mechanism for coordinating on regional security, according to a joint declaration issued after a summit in Egypt on October 4, 2026. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudan’s army chief and Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met in the city of El-Alamein. The summit aimed to address regional security concerns and promote cooperation among the four nations.
The four leaders reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their countries, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law. They stressed that Red Sea governance should remain the responsibility of the region’s coastal states, while ensuring freedom and safety of international navigation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab el-Mandeb strait. This agreement demonstrates their commitment to regional stability and cooperation.
The leaders also discussed economic and development cooperation, including infrastructure, energy, and trade. They agreed to strengthen coordination on regional security and explore ways to deepen economic ties. This cooperation aims to promote economic growth and development in the region, addressing the challenges posed by conflicts and political tensions.
On the Nile, the leaders emphasized the need to respect international law and the principle of avoiding significant harm to other states. They called for prior notification, consultation, and consensus on measures affecting the river, rejecting unilateral actions that could harm the existing water uses of downstream states. This agreement highlights their commitment to managing shared water resources responsibly.
The declaration also reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting interference in its internal affairs. The leaders did not recognize or support Somaliland, describing moves to do so as contrary to Somalia’s territorial integrity. They backed Somalia’s efforts to combat militant groups and called for predictable and sustainable international funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The leaders reaffirmed their support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and state institutions, rejecting the creation of parallel governing structures. They called for the resumption of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led political process to end the conflict. This commitment demonstrates their dedication to promoting peace and stability in Sudan.
The summit comes as conflicts and political tensions continue to reshape the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, with the Sudan war and instability in Somalia among the main regional security concerns. The leaders discussed ways to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for cooperation and coordination to promote regional stability and security.
Key points
- The leaders agreed to establish a regular mechanism for coordinating on regional security.
- The leaders reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- The leaders called for predictable and sustainable international funding for AUSSOM.
