Mogadishu, Somalia – Mogadishu is set to host the next high-level meeting to implement the Asmara Tripartite Agreement, a crucial pact between Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt aimed at fostering regional cooperation, security, and sovereignty. This development follows a preparatory meeting held in Cairo, where the foreign ministers of the three nations convened to assess progress since the landmark summit in Asmara on October 10, 2024.

The meeting in Cairo was chaired by Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel-Atti, alongside Ahmed Maalim Fiqi of Somalia and Osman Saleh Mohamed of Eritrea. The ministers discussed strategies for fulfilling the agreement’s objectives, which include reinforcing regional security, safeguarding state sovereignty in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions, and promoting non-interference in domestic affairs.

The Asmara Tripartite Agreement was forged during heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly concerning disputes over maritime rights and territorial sovereignty. A controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somalia and Ethiopia intensified the need for a coordinated response to preserve stability in the region.

The coalition’s key priorities are:

• Enhancing Security: Addressing transnational threats like terrorism and organized crime.
• Defending Sovereignty: Upholding the territorial integrity of member states.
• Supporting International Law: Promoting non-interference in domestic affairs and adhering to global legal standards.

At the Cairo meeting, the ministers emphasized their commitment to these principles and highlighted Egypt’s active role in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as an example of practical support for Somalia’s peacebuilding efforts.

Hosting the next implementation meeting in Mogadishu underscores Somalia’s emerging diplomatic leadership in the region. The gathering will focus on refining strategies, advancing collaboration, and ensuring that commitments made during the Asmara summit are realized. While the exact date for the meeting is yet to be determined, Egypt’s Foreign Minister confirmed Mogadishu’s readiness to host the event.

The Asmara Tripartite Agreement is seen as a transformative initiative for fostering stability and cooperation in the Horn of Africa. By uniting key regional players, it seeks to address shared challenges and lay the foundation for long-term peace and prosperity.