Somali President meets Egypt’s Sisi amid Horn of Africa tensions

AL-ALAMEIN, Egypt — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on the sidelines of the Africa Business Forum in the Egyptian coastal city of Al-Alamein, as tensions rise across the Horn of Africa.

The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, with particular attention to economic ties, investment and development partnerships between Somalia and Egypt.

The meeting comes against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, particularly involving Ethiopia and its neighbours. Ethiopia recently severed diplomatic relations with Eritrea and has accused Egypt and Sudan of supporting armed groups fighting in the country’s north. Cairo and Khartoum have rejected the allegations.

Fighting has also resumed in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, adding to concerns over a potential widening of the conflict. Ethiopian government forces on Saturday retook control of Alula Aba Nega International Airport in Mekelle, according to reports, after Tigrayan forces withdrew from parts of the regional capital.

The African Union has urged all parties to avoid actions or statements that could further escalate tensions and has called for disputes to be addressed through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

The developments have placed Somalia’s relationship with both Egypt and Ethiopia under close regional scrutiny. Mogadishu maintains ties with Cairo and Addis Ababa while seeking to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries on security, economic development and regional stability.

Hassan Sheikh is in Al-Alamein to attend high-level events focused on African economic cooperation, investment and development. The Africa Business Forum is being held from October 2 to 4, bringing together African heads of state, government officials and business representatives.

The Somali president’s participation reflects Mogadishu’s efforts to expand economic partnerships and attract investment while strengthening its engagement with other African governments.

Egypt has maintained close political and security ties with Somalia and has repeatedly affirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Cairo has also backed the strengthening of Somali state institutions and cooperation on regional security.

For Somalia, the developments in the Horn of Africa are particularly significant because of its strategic position along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea approaches. The region has become increasingly important amid disputes over maritime access, security and competing regional alliances.

The wider tensions have also been shaped by Ethiopia’s efforts to secure reliable access to the sea, its deteriorating relations with Eritrea and longstanding disagreements with Egypt over the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

On Sunday, October 4, Al-Alamein is scheduled to host the eighth African Union mid-year coordination meeting, bringing together African leaders and heads of regional economic communities.