African Leaders Call for Peaceful Solutions Amid Regional Conflicts

Leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan have called for political and peaceful solutions in response to escalating conflicts in the region, including Sudan's civil war and significant fighting in Ethiopia. The leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, issued a joint declaration on Sunday following a meeting in New Alamein City, Egypt. Ethiopia has accused Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan of supporting an armed alliance against its government, a claim denied by officials from those countries. El-Sisi emphasized the need for dialogue to address cross-border challenges. The declaration appears to counter several of Ethiopia's recent policies and highlights increasing tensions between Addis Ababa and its neighbors. It supports Sudan's military-led government and advocates for a political process involving Sudanese parties. Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with both Sudan and Ethiopia accusing each other of interference. The declaration also stated that control of the Red Sea should remain with coastal states, addressing Ethiopia's interest in sovereign access to the sea. Somali President Mohamud indicated that Somalia does not oppose Ethiopia's commercial access through its ports, provided there is mutual agreement. Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns over Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile, warning against unilateral actions that could affect downstream nations. The joint declaration coincides with escalating fighting in Ethiopia, where federal forces are engaged with a seven-group armed alliance, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The TPLF recently stated it had temporarily relocated from Tigray's capital, Mekelle, as Ethiopian state media reported plans for a new temporary administration and upcoming regional elections. Ethiopian officials have accused Eritrea of directly supporting the rebel alliance, while Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel claimed that Ethiopia is attempting to justify an attack on Eritrea.