The Alamein Summit: Safeguarding Fundamentals and Upholding Rights

The Horn of Africa is currently shaped by alliances centered on security, ports, and the Red Sea. On Sunday, October 4, a quadrilateral summit was held in the Egyptian city of Alamein, bringing together President Isaias Afwerki, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The summit addressed the (situation) and developments unfolding across the Horn of Africa, the Gulf, and the Red Sea regions.

During the meeting, the leaders reviewed ongoing events—specifically the violations committed by the Prosperity Party that infringe upon the national sovereignty of Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea, as well as destabilizing practices in the region (particularly regarding statements concerning the Nile River). They noted that these actions hinder the establishment of lasting peace and deprive the region of opportunities for cooperation and coordination that would serve the interests of its peoples.

The summit served as the culmination of earlier bilateral and trilateral meetings—including a trilateral summit bringing together the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, and a bilateral summit between Presidents Isaias and Sisi in Cairo—as well as meetings held by the Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with both President Sisi and President Isaias.

The summit reviewed the outcomes of these various meetings and the progress achieved by joint committees, while also addressing potential future actions aligned with current regional and international developments and issues, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and coordination.

The leaders’ affirmation of achievements made—and their insistence on respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the region’s states—embodies their rejection of interference in the internal affairs of these nations under any pretext, as well as their commitment to supporting national institutions and promoting political, peaceful solutions to conflicts.

The leaders also:
· Agreed to support the unity of Sudan and reject the establishment of any parallel entities: to back the resumption of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led political process; to support the unity and sovereignty of Somalia and reject any interference or actions undermining its territorial integrity and national sovereignty; and to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic.
· Emphasized that the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of the littoral states regarding its sovereignty and security, and—with respect to the waters of the Nile—rejected any unilateral measures that would harm the existing water usage rights of the downstream states (Egypt and Sudan).
· Agreed to establish a mechanism to follow up on the summit’s outcomes—thereby enhancing consultation and coordination—and to hold the summit periodically or whenever the need arises.

In conclusion, the summit reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental principles of regional stability and its dedication to fostering peace, stability, and cooperation among the region’s peoples, while rejecting any methods or violations that fuel conflict.

The Alamein Summit affirmed the rejection of regional power hegemony, emphasizing that respect for national sovereignty forms the foundation of coexistence. Unless regional powers recognize the importance of working together, they may lose the opportunity to reclaim their sovereignty and stability. Therefore, the situation must be addressed before it is too late.