Saturday March 7, 2026
Combined images of (From L to R) Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Cairo (HOL) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed Somalia and security in the Horn of Africa during a phone call Thursday.
According to statements from both sides, the talks focused on preserving stability in the Horn, with Abdelatty stressing the importance of safeguarding the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and Eritrea.
He warned that moves to recognize Somaliland could have serious consequences for stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea region, a strategically vital maritime corridor.
Egypt is expected to deploy troops to Somalia in the coming weeks as part of the newly reconfigured African Union mission supporting Somali security forces. Cairo has in recent months deepened its security engagement with Mogadishu, amid shifting alliances and heightened competition in the Horn.
The U.S. State Department said Rubio thanked Abdelatty for Egypt’s assistance in facilitating the safe return of American citizens through Egyptian territory during recent regional unrest.
The call came against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, including Iranian strikes targeting U.S. military assets in the Gulf and attacks against Israel.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s condemnation of attacks on Gulf states as well as Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Azerbaijan, saying there is no justification for violations of state sovereignty.
