Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia Call for Regional Coordination in Alamein Declaration

Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News

Egypt News

The leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan have agreed to strengthen political coordination, defend national sovereignty and promote cooperation on security, trade and economic development following a four-way consultative summit in New Alamein.

The meeting, convened at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, brought together Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sudanese Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. The discussions focused on regional and international developments affecting the four countries, as well as the need for closer consultation on issues of common concern.

The summit was held alongside the African Union’s eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and other regional events in New Alamein. It came as countries in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region face overlapping security, political and economic challenges, including armed conflicts, terrorism, humanitarian pressures, disputes over sovereignty and concerns surrounding access to strategic waterways.

In their joint declaration, the leaders reaffirmed that international law should remain the foundation of regional stability and cooperation. They emphasized respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as the importance of good-neighbourly relations.

The four countries rejected interference in the internal affairs of regional states, regardless of the justification offered. They also called for stronger national institutions and supported political and peaceful solutions to conflicts. According to the declaration, regional stability requires dialogue, respect for state authority and efforts to address the causes of crises rather than relying on military escalation or outside intervention.

The leaders said closer coordination could help create a more favourable environment for sustainable development. They expressed support for expanding political, commercial, economic and cultural relations among the four countries, arguing that shared objectives and common regional interests should encourage greater links between their peoples.

Sudan was a central issue in the discussions. The four leaders reaffirmed their support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national institutions. They rejected the creation of parallel entities and called for the resumption of a political process led and owned by Sudanese actors.

The declaration also called for support for Sudan’s national institutions and expressed complete opposition to assistance for mercenaries. The position reflects concern that the continuation of armed conflict and the emergence of competing governing structures could further weaken the Sudanese state, deepen the humanitarian crisis and threaten the security of neighbouring countries.

On Somalia, the leaders reaffirmed their support for the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. They rejected any intervention or measures that could undermine Somalia’s national unity and opposed recognition or support for Somaliland, saying such actions would constitute a challenge to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The summit participants also backed Somalia’s efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen state authority throughout the country. They called on regional and international partners to provide stable, sufficient and predictable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM.

The leaders said reliable financing was necessary for the mission to carry out its mandate and support the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces. The transition is considered essential to enabling Somalia’s security institutions to assume greater responsibility for protecting the country and confronting armed groups.

The Red Sea was another major subject in the declaration. The four leaders reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation and said governance of the Red Sea should remain the exclusive responsibility of the states bordering it.

The position underscores the strategic importance of the waterway, which links the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean and serves as a major route for international commerce. Security disruptions in the Red Sea can affect shipping, energy supplies, food imports and the wider economies of countries throughout the region.

The leaders also addressed international law governing transboundary rivers, including the Nile. They stressed the importance of avoiding harm to other states and called for cooperation based on prior notification, consultation and agreement.

The declaration rejected unilateral measures that could damage existing water uses by the downstream Nile countries. The issue is particularly important to Egypt and Sudan, which have repeatedly emphasized the need for cooperation and legally based arrangements concerning projects on the river.

The four countries agreed to continue consultations and coordination among themselves and with other African states. They also decided to establish a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the summit’s outcomes.

The consultative summit is expected to be held periodically and whenever circumstances require, allowing the leaders to exchange assessments and coordinate their positions on regional developments. Such a mechanism could provide a regular channel for dialogue at a time when political and security conditions across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea remain fluid.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the presidents of Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan expressed their appreciation to Egypt for hosting the summit. The Alamein Declaration presents the four countries as supporters of sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution, stronger national institutions and closer African cooperation.

Its practical impact, however, will depend on whether the agreed principles lead to sustained diplomatic engagement, concrete support for regional security missions and closer economic ties. The leaders’ decision to create a follow-up mechanism suggests an attempt to move beyond statements and establish a framework for continued coordination on the region’s most pressing challenges.

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