In a recent summit in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia have agreed to intensify cooperation, particularly in bolstering Somalia's army to combat terrorism and secure its borders.
The joint statement emphasized respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, with the leaders reaffirming their commitment to stability in the Horn of Africa. However, Ethiopia, which has long been involved in Somalia's security efforts, may find itself increasingly isolated due to recent tensions with Somalia and its closer ties with Egypt.
The rift between Ethiopia and Somalia stems from Ethiopia's port deal with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia. Mogadishu sees this as a violation of its sovereignty, straining relations between the two neighbors. Eritrea's tensions with Ethiopia partly stem from being excluded from key negotiations that ended the Tigray War in 2022.
Ethiopia, however, defends its deal with Somaliland as a cooperative effort aimed at securing sea access, emphasizing that it does not threaten Somalia's sovereignty.
Furthermore, President Taye Atske Selassie has recently reaffirmed the country's commitment to stability, economic integration, and anti-terrorism efforts in the region. He has stressed careful deliberation on Somalia's security arrangements, particularly amid concerns over external arms supplies to the country that could empower insurgent groups.