Egypt supports efforts aimed at bolstering peace, security in Horn of Africa: FM

CAIRO – 19 November 2020: In his meeting with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and the Advisor to the Eritrean President for Political Affairs Yemane Gebreab on Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed Egypt's full support for all efforts aimed at bolstering peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

The Eritrean officials have paid an official visit to Cairo in light of the ongoing coordination between the two countries, said Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Hafez.

The meeting tackled the current situation in the Horn of Africa, and means to address the associated challenges on all fronts, Hafez added.

“In this regard, Minister Shoukry emphasized the utmost importance that Egypt accords to the stability of the region and its follow-up on the ongoing developments, expressing Egypt's full support for all efforts aimed at bolstering peace and security in this region which represents a fundamental pillar of regional and continental security,” Hafez said.

The meeting also discussed ways to enhance the aspects of bilateral relations between Egypt and Eritrea, topped by efforts to develop existing projects between the two sides in various fields of cooperation, thus serving the aim of achieving development and prosperity for the peoples of the two sisterly countries, Hafez continued.

The Ethiopian scene has witnessed sudden and fast-paced developments during the past few days after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a military operation on the northern region of Tigray on November 4, leaving thousands killed and displaced.

The violence that has erupted, in a bid by the Ethiopian government to control Tigray region, has aroused fears of a civil war as escalation between both sides heightened. The fight has extended recently to new territories, including Oromia region, which borders with Somali region to the east.