Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi declared that a deal granting Ethiopia maritime access through the self-declared Republic of Somaliland is unacceptable to anyone.
President Sisi, standing alongside Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo, asserted Egypt’s commitment to ensuring Somalia’s security and pledged unwavering support to its brothers.
He stated, “If they call upon us, we will not hesitate to act.” However, Ethiopia’s national security affairs adviser, Redwan Hussein, countered by emphasising that the deal aimed at cooperation and partnership rather than annexation or the assumption of sovereignty over any state’s territory.
Somalia regards Somaliland as its territory and deems the deal illegal. The controversy adds to existing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia related to the construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, a crucial water source for Egypt.