Asmara, Eritrea(Mogadishu24)- Leaders from Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt are set to convene in Asmara, Eritrea today for a tripartite meeting focused on regional stability, security, and the transition to a new African Union mission in Somalia following the end of ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia), according to diplomatic sources.
The talks will also address broader security concerns in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is due to arrive in Asmara, following an invitation from Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.
A spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency said, “The visit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional stability and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, in support of development and the interests of the region's people.”
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is already in Asmara on a three-day official visit, is expected to participate in the meeting as well.
Both Somalia and Egypt were invited by Eritrean President Afwerki to discuss these critical issues. The leaders will explore strategies to further enhance bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on maintaining Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity—seen as essential for the country’s development amidst ongoing challenges.
Eritrea has contributed significantly to Somalia’s efforts to build a strong defense, training more than 10,000 Somali soldiers, with plans to continue this support. The leaders agreed to expand their cooperation to further address challenges in nation-building, according to Eritrea’s Minister of Information.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of growing tensions in the Horn of Africa. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have cooled, and Somalia has recently been at odds with Ethiopia over a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the breakaway republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia, granting Ethiopia 20 kilometers of sea access.
It remains unclear how this new tripartite cooperation could impact the already escalating situation in the region.
The leaders' discussions are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of security and cooperation in the Horn of Africa as the region faces ongoing challenges related to sovereignty, territorial disputes, and regional stability.
