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Egypt opposes forcibly imposed maritime access in the Horn of Africa
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of regional countries during a phone call with Massad Boulos, the U.S. president’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs. The call addressed developments in Somalia, Sudan and Libya, as well as efforts to reduce regional tensions.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Massad Boulos, the U.S. president’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, discussed developments in the Horn of Africa, Somalia, Sudan and Libya during a phone call.
According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty called for respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of regional countries. The minister urged all sides to avoid unilateral steps that could threaten regional peace and security and not to forcibly impose maritime access in violation of international law.
Debate over maritime access in the Horn of Africa
The statement did not name a specific country. However, tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have recently increased over Ethiopia’s efforts to secure maritime access to the Red Sea. Egypt maintains that steps in this direction must comply with the rules of international law.
Call for funding for the Somali mission
Abdelatty recalled that Egypt took part in the second summit of countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, held in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, at the end of July.
The Egyptian minister stressed the importance of providing the funding and support needed for the mission to continue carrying out its duties. This support would preserve the gains achieved in Somalia’s security and stability over the years, serve the interests of regional countries and prevent security and terrorist threats from re-emerging.
The al-Shabaab group has operated in Somalia since 2006 and has carried out attacks against the government and international peacekeeping forces. With the support of Somali security forces, local forces and international partners, the country has conducted large-scale operations against the group in central and southern Somalia since 2022.
Emphasis on unity and the political process in Sudan
The call also addressed efforts to reduce tensions in Sudan. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposed the establishment of parallel structures and said humanitarian aid must be delivered safely and sustainably.
The Egyptian minister referred to international estimates that the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has continued since April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced approximately 13 million. Abdelatty said an inclusive political process owned and led by Sudanese people must be advanced in Sudan.
Call for elections in Libya
Abdelatty also reaffirmed Egypt’s position in support of Libya’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said a Libyan-led process must be advanced to preserve the unity of national institutions and reach a comprehensive solution that would end the political division.
The process should serve to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously as soon as possible and meet the Libyan people’s expectations for security and stability.
Boulos thanked Egypt for its efforts to reduce tensions in the region and unify Libya’s institutions. The United Nations mission and the United States are also working to hold elections that would end the political division in Libya.
Libya has the internationally recognized Government of National Unity, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, which is based in Tripoli and governs most of the western regions. The other government, based in Benghazi and governing most of the eastern regions and cities in the south, was formed by the House of Representatives at the beginning of 2022.
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