Egypt, Turkey discuss Libya, Somalia, Sahel security amid rising regional tensions

Egypt, Turkey step up African security coordination in Cairo talks on Libya, Horn of Africa and Sahel

CAIRO — Egypt and Turkey held new diplomatic consultations in Cairo on Wednesday focused on instability in Libya, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, deepening their coordination on regional security and political mediation amid mounting pressures across several African theaters.

The meetings, organized by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, marked the third round of Egyptian–Turkish consultations on African affairs and the sixth round dedicated to Libya, officials said.

• Focus areas: Somalia and wider Horn of Africa, Red Sea maritime security, the Sahel’s escalating militant threats, and Libya’s stalled transition
• Process: Third Egypt–Turkey round on African issues; sixth on Libya
• Stated aims: Preserve state unity and sovereignty, protect trade routes, back counterterrorism, and create conditions for Libyan elections

The consultations come as parts of Africa face resurgent armed groups in the Sahel, prolonged political uncertainty in Libya and elevated strategic risks around the Red Sea — challenges that increasingly intersect with Egyptian and Turkish interests and with global trade flows.

Somalia and Horn of Africa stability

Officials reviewed the latest developments across the Horn of Africa with a strong emphasis on Somalia. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of preserving Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity and discussed ongoing efforts to improve security and strengthen state institutions.

Somalia has grappled with instability for more than three decades following the 1991 collapse of its central government. Despite offensives by Somali forces and international partners, the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab remains entrenched in several regions. Egypt and Turkey said they are working to support Somalia’s drive to extend government authority, bolster security and build development and institutional capacity.

Protecting Red Sea trade routes

The talks also addressed maritime security in the Red Sea — a chokepoint that links Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal and carries a significant share of global container and energy shipments. Both countries stressed the importance of safeguarding shipping lanes and preventing conflicts in adjacent regions from spilling into the waterway and its littoral states.

Security concerns in the corridor have intensified in recent years amid tensions in the Middle East and instability in parts of East Africa, raising the stakes for uninterrupted transit through one of the world’s most consequential maritime arteries.

Rising security threats in the Sahel

Egyptian and Turkish officials discussed the deteriorating security landscape in the Sahel, a vast belt south of the Sahara spanning West and Central Africa. Militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have expanded their reach, contributing to political fragility and a series of military takeovers in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Both sides reaffirmed support for the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States — formed by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso after their exit from the Economic Community of West African States — and voiced commitment to efforts that combat terrorist groups and restore stability across the region.

Libya’s stalled political transition

In the sixth round of Egypt–Turkey consultations on Libya, officials exchanged views on ways to support the country’s political process while maintaining its unity and sovereignty. Libya has remained divided since the 2011 uprising that toppled Moammar Gadhafi, with rival political authorities and armed factions competing for power and resources.

Participants reviewed regional and international initiatives backing a United Nations–led settlement and emphasized dialogue among rival Libyan actors. They underscored the need to create conditions for holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections — a step they described as essential to restoring political legitimacy and meeting public expectations for stability and economic recovery.

The consultations underscored Cairo and Ankara’s intent to more closely coordinate on overlapping security files on their southern flank — from counterinsurgency and institution-building to maritime safety — even as conflicts and power vacuums continue to test the region’s resilience.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.