Four states call for political solutions as conflicts widen in the Horn of Africa

Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan issued a joint declaration on Sunday calling for political and peaceful solutions to regional conflicts, as Sudan’s civil war continued and fighting escalated in Ethiopia. The leaders made the statement after meeting in New Alamein City, Egypt.

The declaration backed Sudan’s military-led government and called for a political process led by Sudanese parties. Sudan’s war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has continued since April 2023; the statement does not establish that talks are imminent or that an end to the conflict has been secured.

The four countries said control of the Red Sea should remain with coastal states, addressing a sensitive issue as landlocked Ethiopia pursues access to the sea. The declaration also warned against unilateral measures affecting countries downstream on the Nile, amid the long-running dispute over Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Ethiopia has accused Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan of backing armed groups fighting its government. All three deny involvement. Eritrean officials have also rejected Ethiopian allegations of support for the armed alliance in Ethiopia.

The declaration came as federal and allied forces reportedly retook Mekelle after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front said it had temporarily left the city. Ethiopian state media reported that a new temporary administration for Tigray was being prepared; the supplied reporting does not independently verify those developments.