Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia Strengthen Alliance Against Ethiopian Influence 

Cairo - Egypt is fortifying its strategic ties with Eritrea and Somalia in response to what it perceives as escalating threats from Ethiopia to its regional interests, according to recent developments. 

In a significant show of unity, the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia convened in Asmara in October 2024 for a summit that aimed to enhance military cooperation and regional stability. The trio pledged support for Somalia's counterterrorism efforts, with Egypt committing to deploy troops under the African Union (AU) mission, a move seen as a direct counter to Ethiopia's expanding influence in the Horn of Africa. 

The backdrop to this alliance is Egypt's ongoing contention with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Cairo views as a direct threat to its water security. Ethiopia's recent memorandum of understanding with Somaliland for maritime access has further strained relations, pushing Somalia closer to Egypt and Eritrea. 

Analysts suggest that this trilateral summit marks a robust response by Egypt to maintain its sway in the region, particularly as tensions rise over Nile water rights and access to the Red Sea. The alliance has been described by some as an "axis against Ethiopia," highlighting the geopolitical chessboard in the Horn of Africa. 

Ethiopia's ambition to reclaim maritime access, particularly through its deal with Somaliland, has not only alarmed Somalia, which sees this as an infringement on its territorial integrity but also driven Egypt and Eritrea to bolster their strategic and military cooperation with Mogadishu. 

The Egyptian strategy includes not only diplomatic outreach but also military support, with arms shipments to Somalia and the establishment of a joint foreign ministers' committee to oversee strategic cooperation across various fields. 

As tensions persist, this alliance could reshape the balance of power in the region, potentially leading to increased military and diplomatic confrontations. The coming months will be crucial in determining how this strategic alignment will influence the ongoing disputes over the Nile and Red Sea access.

GAROWE ONLINE