Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently held separate meetings with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Hussein Omar on the sidelines of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in Tripoli, Libya. The meetings focused on Red Sea security and regional stability, with Abdelatty stressing that responsibility for the strategic waterway's security and governance rests exclusively with countries bordering it.
During his meeting with Abdi Ali, Abdelatty discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation, particularly in the economic, development, and investment sectors. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to supporting efforts to build Somali state institutions and enhance their capabilities. Abdelatty reiterated Cairo's firm support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the preservation of its national institutions.
Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt's categorical rejection of any unilateral measures that could undermine Somalia's territorial integrity or infringe on its sovereignty. The two ministers exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa, highlighting the importance of strengthening national institutions and preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of countries across the region.
In his meeting with Djiboutian Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Hussein Omar, Abdelatty welcomed the two countries' commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the political, economic, and investment fields. Their discussions covered cooperation in energy, logistics, ports, maritime connectivity, and infrastructure, as well as ways to increase trade and mutual investment.
Abdelatty also highlighted the importance of technical cooperation and capacity-building programs delivered by Egyptian institutions. On regional developments, the two ministers exchanged views on the latest political and security developments in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Sudan and Somalia, and efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
The ministers agreed to continue coordination and build on the outcomes of the consultative summit hosted by Egypt in El-Alamein in October, as part of broader efforts to promote peace, stability, and development in the region. Abdelatty underscored the importance of supporting national institutions and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region.
The meetings between Abdelatty and his Somali and Djiboutian counterparts reflect the ongoing efforts to promote regional cooperation and stability in the Horn of Africa. The discussions also highlighted Egypt's commitment to supporting the region's development and security, while reaffirming the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region.
Key points
- Egypt's Foreign Minister stresses that Red Sea security and governance are the exclusive responsibility of bordering countries.
