Egypt says Red Sea governance must be limited to littoral states
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Egypt’s foreign minister said Sunday that stewardship of the Red Sea should be confined to countries that border it, rejecting what he called attempts by external powers to insert themselves into managing the strategic waterway.
- Advertisement -
- Egypt rejects non-littoral involvement in Red Sea governance
- Cairo seeks to activate Red Sea-Gulf of Aden council for security and development
- Support reiterated for AU Agenda 2063, water security, Sudan’s unity, and Somalia mission funding
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty delivered the message during a meeting with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described as chairperson of the African Union Commission, on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
Abdelatty said Egypt “categorically rejects” any effort by non-littoral states to position themselves as partners in Red Sea governance. He signaled that Cairo and regional partners are working to activate the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to deepen cooperation, promote sustainable development, and bolster collective security across a corridor that anchors global trade and regional stability.
The minister praised coordination with the AU Commission and reaffirmed Egypt’s support for the bloc’s conflict-resolution agenda and the implementation of Agenda 2063, the AU’s long-term development framework. He said Cairo intends to increase the representation of Egyptian expertise within the AU Commission to strengthen joint African action.
On water security, Abdelatty called access to safe drinking water a fundamental human right and welcomed the adoption of Africa’s Water Vision and Policy 2063 by heads of state as progress toward safeguarding water rights. He underscored adherence to international law in transboundary rivers, emphasizing cooperation, consensus and the principle of avoiding harm in upstream projects.
Turning to Sudan, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s support for the country’s unity, territorial integrity and national institutions. He rejected any attempts to partition Sudan or undermine its sovereignty, and called for an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire and expanded humanitarian access. He urged a reassessment of the AU’s approach to the crisis under the ethos of “African solutions to African problems,” and expressed hope that Sudan’s AU membership would be reinstated.
Abdelatty also backed international efforts to secure adequate and sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), saying Egyptian forces are expected to join the mission. He emphasized support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty and rejected the establishment of parallel entities outside internationally recognized frameworks.
For his part, Youssouf conveyed greetings to Egypt’s president and praised Cairo’s role in advancing security, stability and development across the continent. He commended Egypt’s leadership of the AU Peace and Security Council and its contributions to post-conflict reconstruction and development, signaling a desire for continued close coordination on peace and security priorities.
The flurry of diplomacy came as AU members gathered in Addis Ababa to assess progress on Agenda 2063, discuss urgent security challenges and align on continental priorities from water access to conflict mediation. Egypt’s stance on Red Sea governance, coupled with its calls for stronger AU mechanisms and funding for stabilization missions, put regional security architecture at the center of the summit’s sidelines.
Abdelatty’s message reflected Cairo’s long-standing view that threats and opportunities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are best managed by the states that live on their shores, with continental institutions providing coordination. The push to activate the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden council, alongside support for AU-led initiatives in Sudan and Somalia, positions Egypt as a leading voice for regionally anchored solutions to Africa’s security and development challenges.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
