Eritrea

A recent diplomatic spat has nudged Somalia towards cosier relations with Egypt and Eritrea, each entangled in longstanding grumbles with Ethiopia. Folks are jittery that rising tensions could tip the scale into outright conflict. “This is a coalition against Addis Ababa," dished out Hassan Khannenje, who steers the Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies, during a chinwag on the BBC's Focus on Africa. "Seems like they're bundling grievances to crank up the heat on Addis Ababa." A snapshot beamed by Eritrea…

On October 10, 2024, Presidents Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, gathered in Eritrea’s capital for what turned out to be a remarkable powwow. This exclusive Tripartite Summit, held on a Thursday, aimed to bolster relationships and tackle the hair-raising regional security issues that shadow their nations. The host, President Afwerki, ushered in a fresh chapter of camaraderie between these countries. The Egyptian entourage, led by Abbas Kamel, the mastermind of…

Rising Tensions in the Horn of Africa: A New Alliance Formed Against Ethiopia's Red Sea Agenda ASMARA, Eritrea - Brace yourselves for a significant diplomatic gathering as Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, heads to Asmara. He joins Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki. The trio plans to hash out trade and security issues affecting the Horn of Africa's landscape. According to insiders, they're eyeing a regional coalition. This could spark jitters since Ethiopia is caught…

ASMARA, Eritrea - Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea have joined forces, stirring up the already bubbling pot of regional tensions, especially with Ethiopia. The diplomatic shake-up unfolded at a summit in Asmara, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki gathered to map out strategic cooperation. This alliance emerges against the backdrop of Ethiopia making waves with its contentious deal with North Western State of Somalia, aiming for a slice…

Mogadishu (AX) — The Egyptian leader, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is gearing up for a visit to Asmara, Eritrea, come Thursday, where he's scheduled for a three-party pow-wow with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This top-tier sit-down aims to bolster security partnerships and tackle mutual hurdles in the Horn of Africa and the bustling Red Sea zone. A big-ticket item on the agenda is the creation of a tri-nation coalition to navigate common challenges, with a spotlight on Ethiopia's…

In Asmara, Eritrea, on October 9, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their relationship amidst regional shifts. Credit: Villa Somalia Somalia's leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, touched down in Asmara, Eritrea, this past Wednesday for a formal visit. Since taking the helm in 2022, this marks his fourth voyage. It's likely geared toward boosting a developing alliance among Somalia,…

Mogadishu (AX) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud jetted off to Asmara, Eritrea, on Wednesday to connect with Eritrea's leader, Isaias Afwerki.This journey is all about bolstering ties and cooperation between Somalia and Eritrea, especially concerning crucial matters influencing the Horn of Africa, according to a report from the Somali National News Agency.President Mohamud's entourage includes Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with various cabinet members.His visit to Eritrea occurs against…

Turning up in Mogadishu, Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi gets a warm welcome after returning from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Mogadishu (AX) — Just back from the international spotlight, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia's Foreign Minister, recently chewed the fat with Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts, focusing on what Somalia says are ongoing invasions by Ethiopia into its turf. Both Egypt and Eritrea threw their weight behind Somalia, lambasting Ethiopia for actions that jeopardize Somalia's…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi recently engaged in diplomatic talks with Egypt and Eritrea during the UNGA, aiming to fortify alliances amid escalating regional tensions with Ethiopia. North Western State of Somalia—a territory that has proclaimed independence—sits at the epicenter of ongoing diplomatic strife between Somalia and Ethiopia. Despite its lack of international recognition, North Western State of Somalia's prime position along the Gulf of Aden captures the interest of regional…

Last weekend, a meeting took place in Asmara between Egypt's chief spy and Foreign Minister, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. They carried a direct message from President Al Sisi, emphasizing "enhancing and expanding bilateral ties across all sectors." Egypt's active diplomatic endeavors in the Horn of Africa are ongoing. Following a recently inked military pact with Somalia, which included sending 10 Egyptian soldiers to Mogadishu, irking neighboring Ethiopia, Cairo is now eyeing a similar deal with Eritrea. This…