President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia concluded a high-stakes summit in the coastal city of El Alamein, sending a powerful and direct message to Ethiopia: there will be no space for expansionist ambitions in Somalia or the Red Sea.
The outcome of the summit marks a pivotal shift in the geopolitical balance of the Horn of Africa. President El-Sisi’s firm and unequivocal remarks during the joint press conference left little room for interpretation. Egypt will not tolerate any attempt by Ethiopia to exert influence over Somalia’s territory or maritime resources. His statement, delivered with calculated precision, made clear that Cairo considers Somali sovereignty and Red Sea security as red lines.
President El-Sisi declared Egypt’s full backing of Somalia’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity, especially in light of Ethiopia’s controversial agreement signed earlier this year with Somaliland authorities. That agreement, which offered Ethiopia access to a seaport in exchange for recognition of a separatist administration, was widely condemned by Mogadishu and sparked regional alarm. Egypt’s stance, now formalized through this summit, reinforces the Somali government’s rejection of any external interference.
More than symbolic gestures, the Alamein summit consolidated real and ongoing military cooperation between the two nations. Under the protocol signed in August 2024, Egypt will continue to train and equip Somali forces, helping them build the capacity to confront both terrorism and external threats. The Egyptian president emphasized that Somalia must be able to extend full control over its territory without foreign intrusion.
In addition to bilateral defense cooperation, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Egypt’s participation in the new African Union-led stabilization mission in Somalia. Both presidents underscored the need for consistent and reliable funding from international partners, warning that any vacuum could be exploited by countries like Ethiopia to assert illegitimate influence.
The summit also revealed a deeper strategic alignment. President El-Sisi lauded his Somali counterpart’s internal reconciliation efforts and emphasized Egypt’s support for building a strong and united Somali state. The message was clear: Egypt supports Somalia’s national unity, not only as a matter of principle, but as a cornerstone of regional stability.
Throughout the joint appearance, El-Sisi was deliberate in positioning Egypt as a guardian of Red Sea security and a bulwark against power shifts that threaten the maritime balance. Ethiopia’s ambitions to secure a port and project naval power into the Red Sea were directly challenged. The Egyptian president insisted that any attempts to redraw maritime boundaries or reshape regional influence without consensus would be met with resistance.
While both leaders highlighted development, infrastructure, and cultural ties, it was the undercurrent of strategic warning that dominated the summit. The message to Addis Ababa is unmistakable: Egypt will not allow a new regional order that undermines Somalia’s sovereignty or Egypt’s historic interests in the Red Sea.
President Hassan Sheikh, for his part, expressed gratitude to El-Sisi and praised Egypt’s historic role in supporting Somalia during times of political fragmentation and security threats. He reaffirmed Somalia’s respect for regional cooperation based on mutual sovereignty and rejected foreign-backed separatist agendas.
As the summit concluded, the implications were immediately felt across regional capitals. Egypt’s assertiveness in aligning with Somalia sends a ripple through Horn of Africa diplomacy. Ethiopia, long seeking maritime access and expanded regional influence, now faces a coordinated front from two nations with aligned interests and growing military cooperation.
The Alamein summit did more than reaffirm old alliances. It drew bold lines in the sand. Egypt and Somalia have now placed Ethiopia on notice that any future attempts to rewrite the region’s strategic map will not go unchallenged.
