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Egypt, Djibouti discuss Somalia developments, efforts to restore stability in Horn of Africa


Sunday February 2, 2025


Combined images of (From L to R) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the latest developments in Somalia and broader efforts to restore security and stability in the Horn of Africa.

According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and Djibouti’s Ambassador to Cairo Ahmed Ali Berri also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity.

Moreover, both sides discussed security in the Red Sea, stressing the need for joint efforts to safeguard Bab El-Mandeb Strait and ensure safe maritime navigation.

For his part, the Djiboutian foreign minister conveyed the greetings and appreciation of President Ismail Omar Guelleh and his commitment to strengthening relations with Egypt.

The meeting also explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors, emphasizing the importance of deepening collaboration to serve both nations' mutual interests and aspirations.

Early in January, Minister Abdelatty and his Djiboutian counterpart called for enhanced cooperation among littoral states in the Red Sea to safeguard their interests, strengthen national security, and confront various threats.

Security in the Red Sea

Abdelatty held a separate meeting with his Djiboutian counterpart to discuss regional security, including the situation in the Red Sea and the latest developments in Somalia, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.

In a joint press conference following the meeting, both ministers highlighted their countries' crucial role in enhancing maritime security and protecting international shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

Furthermore, the two ministers reaffirmed their full support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity while highlighting Egypt and Somalia's contributions to the new African Union mission to support stability in Somalia.

In addition, Abdelatty and Youssouf discussed reforming the African Peace and Security Council and agreed to support each other's candidacies in regional and international forums.

For his part, Youssouf highlighted that Egypt's national security is inextricably bound with that of Somalia and vice versa. They also stressed that any developments in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait naturally directly impact Egypt's security, economy, and trade.

In return, Abdelatty emphasized the deep-rooted relationship between Egypt and Djibouti and their commitment to strengthening cooperation.

He reaffirmed Egypt's support for Djibouti's development, particularly in infrastructure, technical assistance, and capacity-building.



 





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