Asmara – Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati and General Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel discussed with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, on Saturday, developments in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
This came during a visit by Kamel and Abdel-Ati to the Eritrean capital, Asmara, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the statement, the two Egyptian officials met with President Afwerki and conveyed to him a message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The statement added that Sisi’s message to Afwerki “addressed ways to support and develop bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, in addition to following up on political and security developments in the region.”
He pointed out that Kamel and Abdel-Ati “listened to President Afwerki’s vision regarding developments in the Red Sea, in light of the importance of providing favorable conditions for restoring normal maritime navigation and international trade through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.”
Navigation in the Red Sea has been witnessing a state of instability since November 2023, as a result of the Houthi group’s attacks on what it says are cargo ships belonging to Israel and the countries supporting it, as part of a solidarity movement with the Gaza Strip in the face of the Israeli war that has been ongoing since October 7.
Kamel and Abdel-Ati also listened from Afwerki to “the developments in the Horn of Africa, the challenges facing the region, and ways to enhance security and stability there.”
The two sides agreed, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement, on “the importance of intensifying efforts and continuing consultations to achieve stability in Sudan and support the national state institutions there, as well as preserving the unity of Somalia and its sovereignty over all its territories.”
Kamel and Abdel-Ati’s unannounced visit comes amid tensions between Ethiopia on the one hand and Egypt and Somalia on the other.
In late August, Ethiopia accused Egypt of providing military aid to Somalia, considering that this “amounts to foreign interference” that could cause “destabilization in the Horn of Africa.”
This came one day after Somalia announced the arrival of Egyptian military equipment and delegations to the capital, Mogadishu, in preparation for their participation “in the African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia (AMISOM), which is scheduled to replace the current African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by January 2025.”
Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have deteriorated since Ethiopia signed an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland to use its coasts for commercial and military purposes in early January 2023, amid Somali Arab rejection of the move, led by Egypt, as a “violation of the sovereignty” of Mogadishu.
There are also differences between Egypt and Ethiopia regarding the “Renaissance Dam” that the latter is building on one of the most important water resources of the Nile River, the main source of water in Egypt, and the Entebbe Agreement regarding the distribution of Nile water shares, which both Cairo and Khartoum reject as it affects their historical shares of the river’s water.
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2024-09-16 01:09:06
– What were the key outcomes of the Asmara Summit between Egypt and Eritrea?
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Asmara Summit: Egypt and Eritrea Discuss Red Sea and Horn of Africa Developments
In a significant development, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati and General Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Asmara, Eritrea, on Saturday to discuss pressing issues related to the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Bilateral Relations and Regional Security
According to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two Egyptian officials conveyed a message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to President Afwerki, highlighting ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields. The message also touched upon the need to follow up on political and security developments in the region.
The meeting comes at a critical time, with the Red Sea region witnessing instability since November 2023 due to Houthi group attacks on cargo ships, allegedly belonging to Israel and its supporting countries. This has disrupted normal maritime navigation and international trade through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. President Afwerki shared his vision on this issue, emphasizing the need to provide favorable conditions for restoring normalcy in the region.
Horn of Africa Challenges and Security
The Egyptian delegation also listened to President Afwerki’s insights on the developments in the Horn of Africa, the challenges facing the region, and ways to enhance security and stability. Both sides agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve stability in Sudan and support national state institutions, as well as preserving the unity and sovereignty of Somalia.
Regional Tensions and Cooperation
The unannounced visit of Kamel and Abdel-Ati takes place amidst tensions between Ethiopia, on one hand, and Egypt and Somalia, on the other. Ethiopia has accused Egypt of providing military aid to Somalia, which it views as foreign interference that could destabilize the Horn of Africa region.
In a related development, Somalia recently announced the arrival of Egyptian military equipment and delegations in Mogadishu, in preparation for their participation in the African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia (AMISOM). This move has sparked concerns in Ethiopia, which has been at odds with Somalia over the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Prioritizing Regional Cooperation
The Asmara summit underscores the need for regional cooperation to address the complex security challenges facing the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. By engaging in open dialogue and collaboration, countries in the region can work together to promote stability, security, and economic development.
Conclusion
The meeting between Egyptian officials and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Asmara highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the pressing issues affecting the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. As tensions continue to simmer in the region, it is essential for countries to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards finding mutually beneficial solutions that promote peace, stability, and economic growth.
Keywords: Asmara, Eritrea, Red Sea, Horn of Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland, regional security, bilateral relations, African Union, peacekeeping forces.
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H1: Asmara Summit: Egypt and Eritrea Discuss Red Sea and Horn of Africa Developments
H2: Bilateral Relations and Regional Security
H2: Horn of Africa Challenges and Security
H2: Regional Tensions and Cooperation
H2: Prioritizing Regional Cooperation
H2: Conclusion
– What were the main outcomes of the Asmara Summit between Egypt and Eritrea?
Asmara Summit: Egypt and Eritrea Discuss Red Sea and Horn of Africa Developments
In a significant diplomatic development, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati and General Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Asmara, Eritrea, to discuss the latest developments in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. The meeting, which took place on Saturday, marked a crucial step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations and addressing regional security concerns.
Bilateral Relations and Regional Developments
During the meeting, Abdel Aati and Kamel conveyed a message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to President Afwerki, emphasizing the importance of supporting and developing bilateral relations between Egypt and Eritrea in various fields. The message also addressed ways to follow up on political and security developments in the region.
President Afwerki shared his vision on developments in the Red Sea, highlighting the need to restore normal maritime navigation and international trade through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Egyptian officials listened intently to Afwerki’s concerns, acknowledging the significance of maintaining stability in the region.
Regional Security Challenges
The Red Sea has witnessed instability since November 2023, following attacks by the Houthi group on cargo ships perceived to be linked to Israel and its supporting countries. This has led to concerns about the safety of maritime navigation and international trade in the region.
The meeting also touched on developments in the Horn of Africa, with President Afwerki briefing the Egyptian delegation on the challenges facing the region and ways to enhance security and stability. The two sides agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve stability in Sudan and supporting national state institutions, as well as preserving the unity and sovereignty of Somalia.
Regional Tensions and Cooperation
The unannounced visit by the Egyptian delegation comes at a time of heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt, as well as Somalia. Ethiopia has accused Egypt of providing military aid to Somalia, which it sees as foreign interference that could destabilize the Horn of Africa.
In contrast, Somalia has welcomed Egyptian military equipment and delegations, viewing it as a step towards strengthening regional security cooperation. The development has been seen as a key aspect of the African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia (AMISOM), which is set to replace the current African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by January 2025.
Historical Context and Regional Rivalries
The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has been strained since Ethiopia signed an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland to use its coasts for commercial and military purposes in early January 2023. Egypt, along with other Arab countries, has been critical of the move, viewing it as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Furthermore, Egypt and Ethiopia have long-standing differences over the construction of the Renaissance Dam, which Egypt sees as a threat to its historical water shares from the Nile River. The Entebbe Agreement, which regulates the distribution of Nile water shares, has also been a point of contention between the two nations.
Conclusion
The Asmara Summit between Egypt and Eritrea marks a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation and addressing security concerns in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. By engaging in open and frank discussions, the two nations have demonstrated their commitment to promoting stability and development in the region. As regional rivalries and tensions continue to shape the landscape of the Horn of Africa, the outcomes of this summit will be closely watched by regional and international stakeholders.
Keywords: Asmara, Egypt, Eritrea, Red Sea, Horn of Africa, regional security, bilateral relations, diplomacy, Renaissance Dam, Somali- Ethiopia relations.
