Sisi reiterates Egypt’s rejection of Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, urges prioritizing dialogue

CAIRO – 21 January 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of the Memorandum of Understanding signed early this month by Ethiopia, under which Addis Ababa agreed to lease a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland.

In a press conference with his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who visited Cairo on Sunday, Sisi stated that Ethiopia can obtain facilitations in countries like Somalia, Djibouti or Eritrea and benefit from ports available in them through traditional means.

However, he stressed that this recent deal cannot be accepted as it seeks to help Ethiopia in illegally asserting control over the aforementioned land.

Sisi said that Somalia, as an Arab country, has rights recognized by the Arab League Charter, including the right to be jointly defended in the event of any threats.

“We will not allow anyone to threaten Somalia and we will not let anyone harm Somalia,” Sisi said. “Do not try Egypt or attempt to threaten its brotherly [states] especially when those brothers ask us to stand with them,” Sisi emphasized.

Message to Egyptians

Sisi concluded his speech by urging Egyptians to preserve their country’s stability, mentioning the example of Somalia that has suffered from challenges and problems for more than three decades, draining its capabilities.

“We always tell people: Take care of your country and its stability. All challenges can be overcome as long as the state is stable and secure,” Sisi said.

For his part, the Somali president thanked Sisi for Egypt’s immediate and unwavering condemnation of Ethiopia’s illegal MoU, saying that this deal undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mohamud affirmed that the Red Sea is a fundamental area for global trade and security, providing present and future opportunities for all countries, especially those that overlook it.

He added that no country will be allowed to take advantage of Somali lands without Somalia's consent.