Egypt and Djibouti back Somalia’s unity, commit to stronger cooperation

Egypt, Djibouti back Somalia’s unity, condemn Israel’s move on North Western State of Somalia, deepen economic ties

CAIRO — Egypt and Djibouti reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and pledged to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure during talks between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Abdulqader Hussein Omar in Cairo on Wednesday.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of a fifth consultative gathering focused on improving coordination around peace efforts in Sudan, also addressed fast-moving developments across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor — regions where both countries say they are coordinating closely on security, diplomacy and economic connectivity.

In a readout from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides reiterated “firm support” for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejected any unilateral steps that could undermine stability. The ministers condemned Israel’s recognition of what the statement referred to as the “so-called ‘North Western State of Somalia,’” and emphasized support for Somalia’s legitimate state institutions while rejecting attempts to form parallel entities that could threaten national unity.

The two ministers further dismissed any linkage between the North Western State of Somalia issue and efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians, underscoring the need to prevent regional crises from being instrumentalized in ways that aggravate existing conflicts.

The talks came amid a volatile landscape in the Horn of Africa, where overlapping crises — from Sudan’s civil war to tensions over maritime access and migration routes — have drawn heightened attention from regional capitals. Cairo and Djibouti framed their coordination as part of a broader push to steady key waterways and trade lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, while supporting political dialogue in conflict-affected states.

Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt’s support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity. He backed a political settlement achieved through inclusive Yemeni-to-Yemeni dialogue, calling for restraint and de-escalation to restore stability and lay the groundwork for a durable peace process.

Beyond security matters, the ministers spotlighted growing momentum in Egypt–Djibouti economic ties. According to the Egyptian readout, Abdelatty stressed continued coordination to implement joint projects in energy, infrastructure and logistics — sectors both governments view as critical to unlocking trade flows and investment across the Horn. The discussions also referenced Banque Misr’s new branch in Djibouti as an instrument to facilitate cross-border finance and private-sector engagement.

Both sides voiced support for convening the next meeting of the Egypt–Djibouti Business Council to raise trade volumes in line with the strategic partnership. Officials pointed to opportunities in transport and logistics corridors, port services, power interconnections and industrial cooperation as areas where commercial deals could accelerate in the near term.

The meeting concluded with a joint commitment to continue consultation on regional and international files, and to back initiatives that bolster peace, security and stability across Africa — with a particular focus on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. The emphasis on sustained diplomatic coordination mirrored the agenda of the Sudan-focused consultations underway in Cairo, where neighboring and concerned states have been weighing steps to reduce violence, expand humanitarian access and support political dialogue.

Wednesday’s discussions underscored how Egypt and Djibouti are aligning their positions on Somalia and Yemen while using economic tools — notably finance, logistics and infrastructure — to advance shared interests in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions. The joint stance against unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia, coupled with support for Somalia’s institutions, reflects a wider regional resistance to moves seen as destabilizing at a time of heightened geopolitical strain.

Friday January 16, 2026

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Djiboutian counterpart Abdulqader Hussein Omar. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.