Egypt’s President Vows To Protect Somalia Amid Ethiopian Port Deal
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pledged on Sunday to safeguard Somalia’s security, responding firmly to Ethiopia’s consideration of recognizing Somaliland’s independence in exchange for sea port access. This declaration marks Egypt’s strongest stance yet on an issue that has escalated tensions in the Horn of Africa.
El-Sisi’s comments come amid deteriorating relations with Ethiopia and reflect Cairo’s potential involvement in the dispute. “Egypt will not allow anyone to threaten Somalia or affect its security,” el-Sisi stated during a press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
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Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized by any nation, recently agreed to a port lease deal with Ethiopia. This arrangement, not yet finalized, offers Ethiopia 20 kilometers of coastal land around Berbera port on the Gulf of Aden for military and commercial use for 50 years. Ethiopia currently relies on neighboring Djibouti for maritime exports.
El-Sisi warned Ethiopia against any attempt to control land, advocating for cooperation in development instead. Ethiopia, however, dismissed Egypt’s criticisms, insisting the deal was a mere commercial agreement for sea access and not an act of annexation. Ethiopian national security adviser Redwan Hussien emphasized that the agreement does not imply sovereignty over any state’s territory.
This development adds another layer to the strained relations between Egypt and Ethiopia, who have been at odds for years over Ethiopia’s construction of a major dam on the Blue Nile.
