By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
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Cairo, 8 September 2026 - Egypt on Monday urged Somalia to intensify efforts to secure the release of eight Egyptian sailors being held off the Somali coast.
The request was made by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during talks with his Somali counterpart Abdisalam Abdi Ali on the sidelines of the 166th Arab League Council session at the ministerial level in Cairo.
At the centre of the case is the MT Eureka, which was hijacked in May while reportedly sailing near Yemen's coast before being taken toward Somali waters.
Egypt has since pursued diplomatic efforts to secure the sailors' release, maintaining contact with authorities in Somalia and Yemen as well as the vessel's owner, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said last week it had intensified engagement with authorities in both countries, focusing on securing the crew's release, ensuring their safety and providing adequate living conditions until they can return home.
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Abdelatty also reaffirmed Egypt's support for Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, stressing Cairo's rejection of any unilateral action that could undermine the country's sovereignty or territorial unity.
Egypt reiterated its commitment to supporting Somalia's state-building efforts and strengthening national institutions.
Abdelatty stressed the need to work with international partners to secure sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, in which Egypt participates.
The two ministers also discussed expanding bilateral ties, particularly in economic cooperation, development and investment.
The meeting comes as relations between Mogadishu and Cairo continue to deepen, with the two countries expanding cooperation across political, security and economic fields.