CAIRO — In a high-level diplomatic exchange that has resonated across the Horn of Africa, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdellaty held a comprehensive telephone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday evening. The dialogue served as a firm platform for Egypt to reassert its unwavering defense of Somali territorial integrity and its categorical rejection of separatist movements that threaten the unity of the Somali state.
A primary focus of the discussion was the volatile situation in the Horn of Africa. Minister Abdellaty used the occasion to send a clear message to the international community: Egypt recognizes only one sovereign Somalia. He explicitly rejected any recognition of the so-called “Somaliland,” characterizing such diplomatic overtures as a flagrant violation of international law and a direct infringement on Somali sovereignty. The Minister warned that any attempt to fragment the Somali nation would have “catastrophic repercussions” on the security of the Red Sea and the wider region, potentially inviting further instability into one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
The call also addressed the broader “strategic partnership” between Cairo and Washington, framed against a backdrop of dangerous regional escalation. Beyond the Horn of Africa, Dr. Abdellaty and Secretary Rubio navigated a complex web of crises, including the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Following the first meeting of the Peace Council in Washington on February 19, Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to the “Phase Two” requirements of the U.S.-led peace plan. This includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force and providing robust support to the National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip to ensure a durable ceasefire and facilitate reconstruction.
The conversation further touched on Egypt’s own existential security concerns, specifically regarding the Nile River. Dr. Abdellaty described the river as the “lifeblood” of the Egyptian people and reiterated Egypt’s adherence to international law in its rejection of unilateral actions by upstream nations.
Secretary Marco Rubio praised Egypt’s pivotal role as a pillar of regional stability and expressed appreciation for Cairo’s humanitarian efforts, particularly in assisting the evacuation of foreign nationals. The two leaders concluded by pledging to maintain close, daily coordination to protect the sovereignty of “brotherly and friendly nations” and to prevent the region from sliding into a cycle of unchecked violence. For the Somali audience, the message was unmistakable: Egypt remains a primary advocate for Mogadishu on the global stage
