MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and recent developments in the Horn of Africa.
Minister Abdelatty praised the growing momentum in Egyptian-Somali relations, emphasizing Cairo’s commitment to advancing the strategic partnership between the two nations across political and economic spheres. He reiterated Egypt’s full support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia and the preservation of its national institutions, stressing Egypt’s categorical rejection of any unilateral actions that undermine Somali sovereignty.
The phone call comes amid ongoing efforts to secure the release of eight Egyptian sailors who were kidnapped from the oil tanker MT Eureka in May 2026. The vessel, carrying approximately 2,800 tonnes of diesel, was boarded by armed attackers off the coast of Yemen’s Shabwa province and forced toward Somali waters. Pirates have since demanded a ransom for the release of the crew, which includes eight Egyptians and several other nationals .
Somalia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Ali Abdi Aware, has said the Federal Government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped sailors. “The Somali government is deeply concerned about this situation and is maintaining strong contacts with all relevant parties to resolve the issue and secure the sailors’ release,” Ambassador Aware stated .
The Egyptian Foreign Minister also affirmed Egypt’s ongoing commitment to supporting efforts to strengthen Somali state institutions, particularly in counterterrorism and countering violent extremism.
Minister Abdelatty stressed the importance of securing sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), highlighting Egypt’s active participation in the mission. He emphasized the necessity of supporting both AUSSOM and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to ensure operational continuity, safeguard regional security, and preserve Somalia’s unity.
For his part, the Somali Foreign Minister expressed deep appreciation for Egypt’s unwavering support and steadfast defense of Somalia’s sovereignty. He reaffirmed Mogadishu’s commitment to maintaining close coordination and consultation with Egypt to strengthen bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Deepening Strategic Partnership
The phone call builds on a series of high-level engagements between Somalia and Egypt. In October 2025, a bilateral summit in Asmara brought together the leaders of Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea to discuss regional security coordination and the strengthening of ties among the three countries.
Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia have recently elevated their cooperation on Horn of Africa affairs, Red Sea security and maritime governance. The three countries have reaffirmed that the security and management of the Red Sea are the responsibility of the littoral states themselves.
Egypt and Somalia also signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2026 to enhance cooperation in maritime transport and ports, following a similar agreement between Egypt and Eritrea.
Resurgence of Piracy and Maritime Security
The hijacking of the MT Eureka is the latest in a resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast, with the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raising the piracy threat level to “substantial”. In August 2026, eight armed individuals boarded and took control of a cargo vessel approximately four nautical miles south of Mareeyo, Somalia, marking a significant escalation in maritime crime .
Naval analysts attribute the resurgence to a shift in international naval resources toward the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking shipping, creating a security vacuum that pirate groups are exploiting . Somali pirates have also converted a captured merchant vessel into a floating base from which they are launching new attacks, marking a significant escalation in the resurgence of maritime crime .
Somalia has been actively reinforcing its defence and economic ties with Cairo. The two countries signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2025. The Somali government is in advanced negotiations with both Egypt and Saudi Arabia to establish a tripartite security cooperation agreement centred on Red Sea security. Meanwhile, Puntland maritime police have increased patrols, but international naval assets remain stretched .
Critical Note
The phone call between the Somali and Egyptian foreign ministers reflects Mogadishu’s ongoing efforts to secure support from regional powers, but the practical impact of these diplomatic engagements remains uncertain. Egypt’s rhetorical backing for Somalia’s sovereignty is significant, yet it has not translated into a fundamental shift in the regional balance of power. The trilateral partnership between Egypt, Somalia and Eritrea appears more focused on countering Ethiopian influence than on addressing Somalia’s internal challenges.
Somalia’s reliance on Egypt for diplomatic support risks entangling Mogadishu in the broader Nile River and Red Sea rivalries that may not align with its immediate interests. The government’s diplomatic outreach to Cairo appears to be a calculated effort to balance against Ethiopia’s growing regional influence, but the benefits for Somali citizens remain unclear. The real test of these diplomatic engagements will be whether they translate into tangible improvements in security, governance and economic opportunity for ordinary Somalis, rather than serving primarily as a tool for managing regional rivalries.
