Egypt Rejects Non-Littoral Military Presence in Red Sea Amid Ethiopia Tensions

CAIRO - Egypt has ruled out the military and naval presence of non-littoral states within the Red Sea, affirming its support for Somalia, a country that has been at loggerheads with Ethiopia, whose cooperation with the breakaway state of Somaliland caused jitters.

Badr Abdelatty, the Egyptian Foreign Affairs minister, said Egypt will not allow landlocked countries to establish military presence along the Red Sea, adding that such a move would severely affect security arrangements in the deep waters.

Abdelatty made his remarks during a press conference in Cairo with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh and Somali counterpart Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. Egypt is keen to showcase its dominance and influence in the Horn of Africa.

In a joint statement, the ministers emphasized their ongoing diplomatic coordination and agreed to hold periodical ministerial meetings.

"The next meeting will take place in the Somali capital of Mogadishu," Abdelatty said during the press conference, noting that arrangements are underway for a trilateral summit at the presidential level soon.

The Egyptian FM also noted their agreement on the critical importance of implementing the outcomes of the Asmara Summit, held in October in the Eritrean capital by the Egyptian, Eritrean, and Somali leaders.

The Egyptian foreign minister said Somalia's territorial integrity and sovereignty will not be compromised, adding that Egypt will be eager to protect the friendly nation, which has been struggling with stability.

"We reaffirm our commitment to Somalia's stability, security, and territorial integrity, and we support the government in extending state control over its entire territory and combating terrorism," Abdelatty said.

GAROWE ONLINE