Sisi travels to Eritrea to enhance bilateral ties, discuss Red Sea, HoA security

CAIRO – 10 October 2024: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is set to visit the Eritrean capital, Asmara, on Thursday with the aim of furthering bilateral relations across various fields and engaging in discussions on the regional landscape, the Presidency said in a statement.

Discussions will cover efforts to promote stability and security in the Horn of Africa (HoA) and the Red Sea regions, in a way that supports the development process and meets the aspirations of populations throughout the region, according to the statement.

President Sisi’s trip is a response to an invitation extended by Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki, the presidency added.

HIGH-LEVEL VISITS

In September, President Afwerki received Head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel and Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty in Asmara, where they discussed regional developments.

During their meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts and maintaining ongoing consultations to achieve stability in Sudan and support its national institutions, as well as to uphold the unity and sovereignty of Somalia over its entire territory, said a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

The Eritrean president also met with President Sisi in Cairo in February 2024, where they underscored interest to forge stronger bilateral relations and promote their cooperation across various domains, notably in economic, commercial, and security fields.

At the regional level, they called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with the adopted international terms of reference.

They deliberated on developments in the Horn of Africa and highlighted the need to respect and support the sovereignty of Somalia, categorically rejecting all measures that would undermine this sovereignty. 

They also underlined the necessity to put an end to the humanitarian suffering the Sudanese people amid the ongoing war in Sudan since April 2023.

 

The two presidents also met in Riyadh last November, discussing the Horn of Africa, Sudan, Somalia and Red Sea security issues.

Additionally, President Afwerki visited Cairo in July 2023 to attend Sudan's Neighboring States Summit and meet with President Sisi.

Last August, President Sisi received Eritrea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Osman Saleh Mohammed in Egypt, discussing issues and threats concerning the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

President Sisi and Mohammed reiterated the commitment of Egypt and Eritrea to maintain coordination across various levels to bolster regional security and stability.