Somalia Pushes for Release of Egyptian Sailors from Kidnapped Oil Tanker

CAIRO: Somalia’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ali Abdi Aware, has said the Federal Government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure the release of eight Egyptian sailors kidnapped from the oil tanker M/T Eureka. The ambassador’s comments came during a meeting with Egypt’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, Karim Sherif.

“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. He noted that coordinated cooperation and diplomatic engagements are occurring at multiple levels to ensure the safety of the seafarers and facilitate their prompt return to Egypt.

The M/T Eureka, a Togo‑flagged product tanker carrying approximately 2,800 tonnes of diesel, was boarded by armed attackers on 2 May off the coast of Yemen’s Shabwa province and forced toward Somali waters. The vessel had departed from the Emirati port of Fujairah en route to a Yemeni port before the hijacking. It carried a multinational crew, including Yemeni sailors and eight Egyptian nationals. Pirates have since raised their ransom demand to $10 million, severely restricted food and water supplies, and increased the number of armed guards on board. The case has attracted significant attention in Egypt, where relatives of the sailors have appealed directly to President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi and Egyptian authorities.

During the meeting, Ambassador Aware also stressed Somalia’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Egypt, particularly in security and maritime affairs. He emphasised the need for closer coordination among countries bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to address common security challenges and maintain regional stability. The ambassador further expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government for its continued support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, as well as its contributions to strengthening Somali state institutions, combating terrorism, and promoting peace and development.

The M/T Eureka hijacking is the latest in a resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast. The Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) issued Alert 48/26 on 8 May warning of a new pirate hijacking threat, as the vessel became the fourth target in a string of attacks since mid‑April. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has raised the piracy threat level to “substantial”. Naval analysts attribute the resurgence to a shift in international naval resources toward the Red Sea, creating a security vacuum that pirate groups are exploiting.

Somalia has been actively reinforcing its defence and economic ties with Cairo. The two countries signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2025. Egypt is also set to deploy forces as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). 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. The United States has authorised drone strikes and military force against pirate groups, while the European Union has expanded surveillance through Operation Atalanta.

Families of the M/T Eureka crew continue to appeal for urgent intervention. For the relatives of the eight Egyptian sailors, and for Somalia’s strategic partners in the region, the coming days will be critical as Mogadishu pushes for a diplomatic breakthrough.