ASMARA, Eritrea – Eritrea has come forward to claim that Egypt is being unfairly targeted by unwarranted rumors about purported schemes to unsettle the Horn of Africa. Eritrea insists Egypt is a beacon of tranquility and growth for the region.
During a discussion in Asmara, featuring an Egyptian cohort led by Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty, a consensus was reached with President Isaias Afwerki to bolster peace and steadiness in the uncertain Horn of Africa.
Yemane Meskel, Eritrea’s minister of information, emphasized Egypt’s message, asserting it has no interest in meddling with local governance, contrary to allegations of interference by certain factions.
“Both parties very clearly pointed out that Egypt is not supporting any agenda of regional disruption or intervention,” the minister commented on the discord between Somalia and Ethiopia and Egypt’s supposed intervention.
“Distorting these truths to spread baseless accusations is empty rhetoric meant to justify the strategic errors of these factions,” the minister continued.
Although Egypt has supplied arms to Somalia following a security agreement, this has been misrepresented as a strategy to attack Ethiopia. Ethiopia, embroiled in disputes over Nile water rights, opposes this narrative, especially since Somalia and Ethiopia are vying for access to the Red Sea via Somaliland.
Beyond its efforts to train Somali forces, Egypt is predicted to lead the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Ethiopia has cautioned against efforts to ‘undermine our capabilities’.
In Asmara, representatives from Eritrea and Egypt reaffirmed that strengthening their bilateral relationship is crucial for regional peace and stability. Eritrea has long been involved in training Somalia’s army.
“Both sides agreed to further enhance their ongoing cooperation across economic, political, trade, agriculture, energy, and health sectors,” the meeting concluded.
AXADLETM
