Ramadan Qarni to Zoom Africa: The Asmara summit is a pivotal step in building a shared security vision for the Horn of Africa.

Written by Amina Hassan

Dr. Ramadan Qarni Muhammad, an expert on African affairs, said that the region Horn of AfricaStrategically, it is described as the strategic depth of Egyptian national security, due to its pivotal role in protecting and securing Egyptian maritime navigation and securing the southern entrance to the Suez Canal. Historically, the Horn of Africa forms an integral part of the components of Egyptian African identity, which dates back to the maritime voyages to the Land of Punt during the reign of the Kingdom of Hatshepsut. Egyptian contact continued in the Middle Ages, in light of the allocation of the “Al-Jabarti Riwaq,” attributed to the famous Eritrean scholar Abdul Rahman Al-Jabarti, to students of these regions at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.

A prominent role in supporting the independence of the countries of that region

Dr. Ramadan Qarni Muhammad, an expert on African affairs, explained in an interview with Zoom Africa that in modern times, Egypt played a prominent role in supporting the independence of the countries of that region, especially Eritrea and Somalia. Cairo also contributed with prominent “diplomatic” roles to support the Somali state, following the period of civil war, as well as supporting development efforts in Eritrea, and strengthening security and economic cooperation with the state of Djibouti.

The African affairs expert pointed out that recently that region has become of particular importance in Egyptian action, given the complexity of its crises, most notably the situation in Somalia, especially after the Israeli recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region, the border tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the repercussions of the war in Sudan on that strategic region.

Regarding Egypt's most prominent security and development roles in addressing the crises of the Horn of Africa, the expert on African affairs pointed to Egypt's efforts, in cooperation with its partners in the Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Somalia, and Djibouti), to formulate a security system for the region based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and upholding the principles of international law. In this context, the Egyptian presidential visits to Eritrea and Djibouti, as well as the tripartite Egyptian-Eritrean-Somali summit in 2024, and the successive visits of the Somali president to Cairo, reflect Egypt's keenness to formulate such a security system.

The Asmara Summit, held in 2024 at the invitation of President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, was a pivotal stage in shaping a regional and security system for the Horn of Africa, given its outcomes. The three presidents emphasized the need to adhere to the fundamental principles and pillars of international law as the indispensable basis for regional stability and cooperation, particularly the absolute respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, confronting interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region under any pretext or justification, coordinating joint efforts to achieve regional stability, and creating a favorable climate for joint and sustainable development.

He added that, in addition to previous efforts on various political and strategic levels, Egypt, in cooperation with partners in the Horn of Africa region, the African Union Commission, and international partners, sought to maximize several security and development mechanisms, most notably:

Egyptian cooperation with the countries of the Horn in the areas of work of the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development in the sectors of: diplomacy, transport, communications, agriculture, counter-terrorism, tourism, irrigation and water management, electricity and energy sources.

Egypt provides Somalia with development and technical assistance, grants and training courses in the military and police fields, especially in the field of counter-terrorism, as well as training courses provided by the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development in a number of development fields.

The opening of direct flight routes between Egypt and Djibouti, the establishment of renewable energy stations, the opening of branches of Egyptian banks, as well as the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding in various economic and technical sectors, in addition to sending Egyptian advisors to Djibouti.

Providing scholarships for Eritrean students at Al-Azhar University, and the participation of Eritrean officials in capacity-building programs in various fields, including management, media, and others, in addition to increasing weekly flights between the two countries.