Cairo (Somalia Today) — Egypt’s diplomatic and military moves in the Horn of Africa over the past two years have drawn notice – especially among those focused on what regional upheavals mean for freedom of navigation and world trade in the Red Sea.
Concern has grown as reports point to closer coordination between Somalia’s Al-Shabaab and Yemen’s Houthi movement, heightening the threat to regional security.
A glance at the map shows the natural geographic continuum between the Horn and the belt to its west, where two of Egypt’s core national-security axes lie – the Red Sea and the Nile basin.
Our interests that flow from this are broad and strategic. They are not, as some think, new, situational or tactical.
From Queen Hatshepsut to today
Egypt’s influential role in Africa goes back to antiquity. Since the time of Queen Hatshepsut, commercial and cultural ties have tightened. That held through the colonial period and Egypt’s support for independence movements.
From Somalia to Djibouti via Eritrea, our relations with the peoples and governments of the Horn have left a lasting mark – including on the rising generation.
The collapse of president Siad Barre’s regime in 1991, Somalia’s long descent into turmoil, and the infiltration of the country by terrorist groups seeking to seize its resources were a turning point.
Neighbours stepped in and expanded their footprint, including through prolonged military deployments. These new political dynamics stopped Somalis from rebuilding national unity.
Fragility extends beyond Somalia. From the Eritrea-Ethiopia war to Ethiopia’s civil war in Tigray, actors willing to export instability and stoke hostilities born of hegemonic tendencies have tested the region again and again.
Ethiopia’s attempt to gain access to Red Sea
The latest destabilising project is Ethiopia’s illegitimate – and openly declared – bid to secure a naval presence on the Red Sea, despite being landlocked. This is a bald threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states in the region.
Sudan’s crisis is another grave concern. There is still no clear path to a political settlement or to easing the people’s suffering. The country’s riches invite outside meddling – with the risk that Sudan becomes an open theatre for regional rivalries.
Houthi attacks on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea – after Israel’s assault on Gaza – have further militarised these waters.
Old proposals for security accords that would bring in non-littoral actors are back in play. Temptations to redraw the Horn’s geopolitical realities could be rekindled.
A mission for peace in Somalia
Egypt faces a turbulent environment and multiple threats to its national security. Passive watching or business-as-usual diplomacy is no longer a luxury we can afford.
Countries in the region understand that our renewed diplomatic activity answers an urgent need – to deter aggressive behaviour.
Egypt’s institutions know they must act on parallel, complementary tracks to restore a measure of strategic balance.
An example of this new approach is Egypt responding positively to Mogadishu’s request to contribute to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), sending military and police personnel as well as an air component.
This is Egypt’s first participation in an AU peace-support operation, roughly 30 years after it joined the UN mission in Somalia. Egypt intends, in this way, to reassert its role and assume its responsibilities in the Horn of Africa.
Announcements by President Sisi
We have also revitalised our economic and cultural ties. We have also stepped up technical support to Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya and Somalia – in energy, infrastructure and education.
The Horn of Africa has all the levers it needs to secure stability and development. What it lacks is a partner ready to transfer know-how to help (re)build certain states – while ensuring that people’s interests are recognised and put first.
As President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has announced, Egypt will mobilise every diplomatic instrument to restore stability and to forge multidimensional partnerships in the Horn of Africa. We stand ready – with confidence – to take centre stage in this part of the world.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Somalia Today.
