Ethiopia has accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of supporting measures it claims run counter to its strategic interests, following his participation in a summit held on October 4 in El Alamein, Egypt, involving Somalia, Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan.
A report published by the Ethiopian News Agency, titled “President Hassan Sheikh’s Betrayal Undermines Regional Realities,” stated that Ethiopia views President Hassan Sheikh’s participation—and his endorsement of the summit’s joint statement—as a move that could impact its interests regarding the Nile River and Red Sea security.
The report noted that the El Alamein statement emphasizes the obligation of Nile basin countries to uphold the principle of “no significant harm” to other nations and insists that water projects affecting other countries be based on prior notification, consultation, and mutual agreement.
The Ethiopian News Agency argued that these provisions could specifically affect Ethiopia, which has long been embroiled in a dispute with Egypt and Sudan over the utilization of Nile waters, particularly concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The report also accused President Hassan Sheikh of aligning himself with a political alliance aimed—as the author argued—at curtailing Ethiopia’s role in Red Sea affairs. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, has consistently emphasized the importance of securing access to a maritime trade route.
The text also specifically criticized the involvement of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, arguing that Eritrea had supported Egypt’s position regarding the Nile waters issue. The author interpreted this move as Eritrea prioritizing Egyptian interests over its own long-term interests.
The report also addressed Ethiopia’s role in Somalia since the collapse of the central government in 1991, noting the reconciliation conferences held in Ethiopia and the support provided by Ethiopian forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab and in peacekeeping operations within Somalia.
The report’s author argued that President Hassan Sheikh’s endorsement of the Al-Alamein declaration could undermine the security ties and cooperation that have existed between Somalia and Ethiopia for decades. He also criticized the position of the President of Somalia regarding Red Sea issues and Ethiopia’s rights to a sea outlet.
