ADDIS ABABA — Egypt‘s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, has stated that the management of the Red Sea should be strictly confined to neighboring countries, voicing strong opposition to what he characterized as endeavors by external powers to participate in governing the vital waterway.
Foreign Minister Abdelatty made these comments during a high-level discussion with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, on the sidelines of the summit in Addis Ababa.
“Absolute Rejection” of External Interference
Abdelatty emphasized Cairo’s “absolute rejection” of any initiatives by non-bordering nations to establish themselves as participants in Red Sea administration.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to reactivate the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to improve collaboration, foster sustainable development, and reinforce security among member states.
Water Security and Sudan
Regarding water security, the Minister characterized access to clean water as a basic human right. He welcomed the adoption of Africa’s Water Vision and Policy 2063, noting it adheres to international law and principles of preventing harm in projects involving shared rivers.
On the crisis in Sudan, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s endorsement of the nation’s unity and institutions. He called for a reassessment of the AU’s approach based on “African solutions to African problems” and expressed optimism for the restoration of Sudan’s AU membership.
Commitment to AUSSOM
The foreign minister further expressed support for international initiatives to secure sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), confirming that Egyptian forces are scheduled to join the mission.
He stressed continued support for Somalia’s sovereignty and the rejection of entities operating outside internationally recognized frameworks.
In response, Chairperson Youssouf praised Cairo’s role in advancing security and development throughout the continent, commending Egypt’s leadership of the AU Peace and Security Council.
