Leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan gathered in New Alamein on October 4, 2026, issuing a joint declaration that asserts exclusive Red Sea governance, condemns regional interference, and backs Mogadishu’s sovereignty amid escalating conflicts across the Horn of Africa.
Four African Leaders Meet to Forge Unified Security Front
Four African heads of state met in the Egyptian coastal city of New Alamein on October 4, 2026, to forge a unified quadripartite front across volatile regional flashpoints. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hosted Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for the consultative gathering.
The meeting brought together nations surrounding the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa during a period of sharp diplomatic strain. Former Egyptian assistant foreign minister Hussein Haridy described the gathering as a consultative session rather than a summit directed against any third party. Even so, the resulting Alamein Joint Declaration establishes a periodic mechanism to coordinate security interests among the four countries.
Ahead of the formal summit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held bilateral discussions in New Alamein. On Saturday, Sisi met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to cover bilateral relations and regional developments. Sisi also met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on the sidelines of the Alamein Africa Business Forum to reaffirm Egypt’s support for Eritrea’s security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and held talks with Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council President Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Leaders Claim Exclusive Responsibility for Red Sea Governance
The participating leaders staked a rigid claim over maritime security in the region. The joint declaration asserts that Red Sea governance remains the exclusive responsibility of its littoral states, while emphasizing the absolute necessity of safe passage through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
On transboundary waters, the declaration demands that any river projects adhere strictly to international law and the principle of avoiding significant harm to downstream nations. Egypt and Sudan urged prior notification, consultation, and consensus, voicing opposition to unilateral actions regarding the Nile River.
The leaders agreed to deepen economic and development cooperation across the bloc, with specific focuses on infrastructure, energy, and trade. The summit also aimed to enhance political, trade, and economic cooperation while strengthening overall consultation and coordination among the four nations.
Backing for Somalia and Sudan Amid Escalating Horn of Africa Conflicts
The coalition threw its full support behind Mogadishu, explicitly rejecting any recognition or support for the breakaway region of Somaliland. The leaders condemned such moves as a direct infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The summit also backed Somalia’s efforts to combat militant groups and terrorist organizations, calling for state institutions to be enabled to extend their authority over the entirety of the country. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud noted ahead of the summit that Mogadishu does not object to Ethiopia securing commercial access through Somali ports, provided such an arrangement is agreed upon directly with Somalia.
Addressing the civil war in Sudan, which has been ongoing since April 2023 between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the four states reaffirmed their backing for the unity, sovereignty, and state institutions of the country. They rejected the establishment of parallel governing structures and categorically rejected any support to mercenaries while encouraging the resumption of a Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led political process.
Supporting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Sudan and its national institutions; rejecting the establishment of any parallel entities; encouraging the resumption of a political process that is Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led; supporting national institutions; and categorically rejecting any support to mercenaries.
El Alamein Joint Declaration, via Eritrea Ministry of Information
Ethiopia Accuses Summit Nations of Backing Armed Alliance
The summit unfolded against a backdrop of deteriorating diplomatic relations in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia has accused Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan of backing the armed alliance fighting its federal government, charges that officials from all three countries deny. The diplomatic rupture between Ethiopia and Eritrea intensified after Ethiopia ordered the closure of its embassy in Asmara and expelled diplomats.
Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel stated on social media that Addis Ababa was attempting to create a pretext for attacking Eritrea, while Asmara denied involvement in efforts to destabilize its neighbor. Earlier on Sunday, Egyptian President el-Sisi stated that cross-border challenges required dialogue rather than confrontation, and former assistant foreign minister Hussein Haridy described Ethiopian accusations against Cairo as attempts to divert attention from domestic developments.
Meanwhile, fighting escalated in northern Ethiopia as federal forces and allied groups advanced toward Mekelle. Ethiopian state media reported that former Tigray interim leader Abraham Belay stated the government is preparing a new temporary administration and hopes to hold regional elections within months.
