Quadripartite Summit in Egypt Emphasizes Maritime Sovereignty, Downstream Water Security, and Support for Somali Territorial Integrity
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Following accusations of involvement in the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia directed toward Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan, leaders from four regional nations convened alongside Sudan to declare that Red Sea governance remains the exclusive responsibility of littoral states. Although the joint declaration omitted explicit mention of Ethiopia by name, the position directly addresses maritime access claims raised by Addis Ababa since 2023.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hosted the quadripartite consultative meeting in the coastal city of El Alamein, joined by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The joint statement confirmed that discussions focused on pressing regional developments, trade and economic cooperation, and local political stability. Addressing strategic waterways, the leaders affirmed that freedom of navigation for commercial vessels and cargo must be protected, while insisting that administrative oversight and security control of the Red Sea rest solely with its coastal states.
On transboundary water resources, the declaration emphasized strict adherence to international legal frameworks governing shared rivers, including the Nile.
The leaders rejected unilateral actions affecting downstream water security, reiterating the “no harm” principle alongside requirements for prior notification, consultation, and consensus-based agreements. The statement aligns directly with Egypt’s long-standing diplomatic position opposing unilateral developments along the Nile Basin.
Reaffirming commitment to regional territorial integrity, the four heads of state pledged full support for the sovereignty and national unity of Somalia, firmly rejecting initiatives seeking sovereign recognition for Somaliland. The summit additionally called for sustainable, predictable funding allocations toward the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to advance counter-terrorism efforts.
Regarding Sudan, the leaders endorsed the legitimacy of state national institutions, rejecting foreign mercenary involvement and the establishment of parallel governance structures.
To operationalize the El Alamein Agreement, the participating countries resolved to institute a joint follow-up monitoring group tasked with coordinating policy implementation and convening periodic consultative sessions.
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