Leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan have jointly called for political and peaceful solutions to escalating conflicts in the region, particularly Sudan’s civil war and ongoing violence in Ethiopia. The leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, made this announcement following a meeting in New Alamein City, Egypt, on Sunday.
The joint declaration emphasizes the need for dialogue in addressing cross-border challenges. El-Sisi highlighted this sentiment, stating that the solution lies in discussion rather than confrontation.
Heightening regional tensions, the declaration appears to challenge several of Ethiopia’s recent policies. It expresses support for Sudan’s military-led government and calls for a political process that involves Sudanese parties. Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, with fighting breaking out between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and both Sudan and Ethiopia have leveled accusations of interference in Sudan’s civil unrest.
The declaration also affirms that control of the Red Sea should remain with the coastal states, likely a direct response to Ethiopia’s aspirations for sovereign access to the sea and a potential naval presence. President Mohamud stated on Saturday that Somalia is open to negotiations regarding Ethiopia’s access to Somali ports, provided an agreement is reached.
Both Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns regarding Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile, warning against “unilateral measures” that could negatively impact states downstream.
This declaration comes as fighting has intensified in Ethiopia. Federal forces, backed by allies, recently recovered the city of Mekelle from a coalition of armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF announced it had “temporarily moved out of” Tigray’s capital to regroup. Ethiopian state media reported that the federal government plans to establish a new temporary administration in Tigray, with the possibility of regional elections in the coming months.
Amid these developments, Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel accused the Ethiopian government of attempting to fabricate a reason for military action against Eritrea, as allegations of direct support for the rebel alliance in Ethiopia continue to circulate.
