In a step aimed at strengthening Egyptian relations with the countries of the Horn of Africa, and protecting its strategic interests, in a vital region such as the Red Sea, the Eritrean capital “Asmara” witnessed A tripartite summit brought together the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia last week, with the aim of supporting coordination and strategic cooperation between the three countries on regional and international issues, and protecting the interests of the three countries.
Before stopping at the results of the tripartite summit, the visit made by the President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to Asmara, on the tenth of October, a milestone in Egyptian cooperation with the countries of the Horn of Africa, and the strengthening of its partnership at the bilateral and regional levels with those countries.
The Asmara Summit, which brought together President Sisi, With his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki, and his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, it resulted in a partnership based on strategic cooperation between the three countries, with the aim of confronting the current and future risks and challenges that threaten the national security of each of them, and for this goal, they formulated a set of principles that guarantee confronting the various challenges, And enhancing joint cooperation.
The importance of the summit
The “Asmara” summit gained The tripartite is of double importance, given the important timing in which it was held, and the matrix of the importance of that summit can be limited to five basic points, which are:
1- The timing of the summit: The summit is held at a time when the region is witnessing tensions on more than one front. Starting with the escalating tension between Somalia and Ethiopia, against the backdrop of the latter signing an illegal agreement with the “Somaliland” region. The secessionist government, at the beginning of this year, guaranteed it the right to benefit from the port of Berbera on the Red Sea coast, which was opposed by the federal government in Somalia, and the Arab countries, led by Egypt.
2- Tripartite cooperation mechanism: The Asmara summit launched a “tripartite cooperation mechanism” A new, in a vital region for the Egyptian state, which is the Red Sea. It is a step that integrates with an approach that the Egyptian state has followed in recent years, to enhance its international and regional cooperation, in vital areas that intersect with its national security, as happened with (the tripartite cooperation mechanism with Cyprus and Greece) in the eastern Mediterranean. And (the tripartite cooperation mechanism with Jordan and Iraq).
3- Red Sea tensions: The second importance stems from the reality of the security tensions witnessed in the southern Red Sea region, at the Bab al-Mandab Strait, due to the attacks of the Yemeni Houthi group, since Last November, on passing Israeli ships and their allies, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which affected the international trade movement through the navigational course of the Egyptian Suez Canal, where its losses reached about 62%, which is a high bill paid by the Egyptian state due to these tensions, without it having any hand. In it.
4- Crises in the region: One of the important dimensions discussed by the tripartite summit is joint coordination, with regard to the crises taking place in the region, starting with the situation in Sudan, and the necessity of advancing political solutions to preserve the unity and sovereignty of Sudan, which is The same principles, with regard to the situation in Somalia, where the three countries agreed to support the unity and sovereignty of Somalia, in the face of the challenges it faces.
5- Protecting Egyptian interests: One of the important dimensions, which the tripartite summit sought to achieve, is supporting
Principles and messages
Strategic dimensions, with important connotations and messages, included in the joint statement, issued by the Asmara Tripartite Summit, which included a set of important messages and principles, which are:
1- Commitment to the principles of international law: The first point emphasized by the tripartite summit is the necessity of “adherence to the basic principles and pillars of international law as they are the indispensable foundation for regional stability and cooperation.” The summit stressed that “absolute respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries of the region And confronting interference in the internal affairs of these countries under any pretext or justification.
2- Supporting Somalia and its institutions: The second message, emphasized by the summit, was “developing and deepening cooperation and coordination between the three countries in order to enhance the capabilities Somali state institutions to confront various internal and external challenges, including “enabling the Somali National Federal Army to confront terrorism in all its forms, protect its land and sea borders, and preserve its territorial integrity.”
3- The crisis in Sudan: The tripartite summit discussed In depth, the crisis in Sudan and its regional repercussions, and the views of the three leaders agreed on that crisis and its effects on the region, and the need for there to be political solutions, for a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible, to protect the unity and stability of Sudan, and to support relief efforts for those affected by that crisis. War, while working on an internal political agreement between all Sudanese parties.
4- Securing navigation in the Red Sea: This is one of the basic points, which the summit discussed in depth, and on which the views and positions of the three leaders agreed, for coordination in issues of security and cooperation. between the coastal countries of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, based on its utmost importance as a vital sea passage.
5- Strategic Cooperation Committee: The summit established a permanent mechanism for joint strategic cooperation, where emphasis was placed on diplomatic coordination mechanisms and joint efforts between The three countries, where it was agreed to establish a joint tripartite committee of the foreign ministers of Eritrea, Egypt and Somalia for strategic cooperation in all fields.
The most important Egyptian message was emphasized by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in his speech at the joint press conference after the summit, when He stressed that “Egypt will spare no effort and will not skimp on advice, in the service, interests and aspirations of countries and populists in the Horn of Africa region,” and pointed out that “the Asmara summit reflects the growing importance of developing and strengthening relations between the three countries, in facing common challenges, and benefiting from available capabilities.” For each country, for the benefit of the peoples of the three countries.
A summit in the interest of all
Ambassador Salah Halima, Vice President of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, considered that the results of the tripartite Asmara summit are in the interest of everyone, and aims to strengthen cooperation and partnership between the tripartite countries in the Red Sea regions. And the Horn of Africa.
In private statements, Halima linked the importance and results of that summit to the illegal Ethiopian moves in Somalia, and said that “the illegal Ethiopian move to be present in Somaliland requires more coordination with Eritrea and Somalia.” “To protect Somali sovereignty,” he pointed out that the summit aimed to confront the current and future risks and challenges of each country, and he expected an increase in the volume of joint investments and trade exchange after this summit.
Halima stressed that tripartite cooperation between the three countries exists. On solid foundations, as Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea participate in many regional and international organizations, starting with the African Union, the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and the Arab League, which brings together Egypt and Somalia.
The Somali ambassador praised In Cairo, Ali Abdi Awari, presented the outcomes of the Asmara tripartite summit, and said in a joint statement that it “represents a road map for strengthening and deepening the historical relations between the three countries, and supporting the capabilities of the Somali state in facing the current challenges.” He said that “the tripartite summit carried important messages.” Regarding supporting peace and stability in the region.
