Leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan Unite for Peace

On Sunday, the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan convened in New Alamein City, Egypt, where they issued a joint declaration emphasizing the importance of peaceful conflict resolution. The meeting included Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The declaration supported Sudan's military-led government and called for a political process involving Sudanese parties amidst ongoing conflict in Sudan since April 2023, which has seen clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Additionally, the declaration addressed regional tensions, particularly Ethiopia's accusations against Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan of supporting armed groups opposing its government.

It also asserted that control of the Red Sea should remain with coastal states, responding to Ethiopia's aspirations for access to the sea. Somalia's Mohamud stated that Ethiopia could secure commercial access through Somali ports if mutually agreed.