Security in Somalia and the Red Sea dominated discussions Sunday as Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and later with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in Cairo.
Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to Somalia’s stability and territorial integrity, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts with Djibouti to secure the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and ensure safe navigation in the Red Sea. Youssouf conveyed a message from Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh to Al-Sisi, reaffirming their shared commitment to a strong bilateral relationship. Al-Sisi echoed this sentiment, highlighting Egypt’s desire to expand cooperation. They also discussed broader regional security concerns and explored opportunities to enhance collaboration across different sectors.
The foreign ministers’ subsequent meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties, including a proposed link between Egyptian ports and Djibouti, which Abdelatty described as a key area of cooperation. He underscored Egypt’s support for Djibouti’s development through infrastructure projects, technical assistance, and expertise sharing in health, education, energy, and logistics, among other areas. Both ministers emphasized their countries’ shared interest in maintaining Red Sea security, given Djibouti’s strategic location.
Abdelatty outlined plans for an Egyptian logistics hub in Djibouti to promote trade and showcase Egyptian products. He and Youssouf agreed on the necessity of ongoing dialogue in light of the evolving geopolitical situation in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Youssouf underscored the vital nature of the bilateral relationship, highlighting their shared responsibility for Red Sea security. He described Djibouti as the southern gateway to the Red Sea and Egypt as its northern entrance.
Both ministers also addressed their countries’ involvement in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the need for a peaceful resolution to the Sudanese conflict. Further discussions involved enhancing the African Union’s effectiveness, implementing Agenda 2063, and mutual support for candidacies within international organizations. Youssouf also acknowledged Egypt’s significant role within the African Union and its contribution to promoting cooperation across the continent.
