Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan adopted a joint declaration in New Alamein on October 4 and agreed on periodic consultations to follow its outcomes. Their positions cover Nile water use, coastal-state responsibility for Red Sea security, and the territorial integrity of Somalia and Sudan. The declaration rejects unilateral measures harming existing downstream Nile water uses.
Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan adopted a joint declaration after their leaders met in New Alamein, a coastal city in Egypt, on October 4. They agreed to establish a mechanism to follow up the summit’s outcomes through periodic consultations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sudanese Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.[1], [2]
For transboundary rivers, including the Nile, the declaration stresses avoiding harm, prior notification, consultation and agreement. It rejects unilateral measures harming the existing water uses of downstream Nile countries. Egypt and Sudan seek a binding agreement on the operation of Ethiopia’s large Nile dam; Ethiopia describes the project as essential to development and electricity generation and says it does not intend to harm downstream states.[1]
The leaders stated that Red Sea governance and security should be the responsibility of coastal states. They also emphasised freedom and safety of international navigation through the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab, the strait linking it to the Red Sea.[1]
The declaration supports Somalia’s territorial integrity and rejects recognition of or support for Somaliland. It calls for sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, which supports Somali security. On Sudan, the four states support national institutions, reject parallel entities and support for mercenaries, and favour a Sudanese-led political process. Infrastructure, energy and trade cooperation also formed part of the talks.[1]
