DJIBOUTI, April 23 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi paid Wednesday a visit to Djibouti where he held extensive political talks with his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh on ways to strengthen relations and joint coordination on regional developments in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

The two leaders highlighted ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation in several areas of mutual concern, including defense, security, countering extremist ideology, media, energy, trade, economics, ICT, agriculture, irrigation and water resources, education, higher education, culture, health, social solidarity, tourism, youth, and sports.

Sisi extended congratulations to Djibouti after Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, its long-serving Foreign Minister, had been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), while Guelleh reaffirmed his country's support for the candidacy of Egypt's former minister of tourism Khaled el Anany for the post of UNESCO Director-General during the elections scheduled for October 2025.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest, in light of the challenges facing the two countries and their pivotal role in a turbulent region to ensure calm stability in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, the two leaders welcomed any efforts that would support Somalia's security, stability, and territorial integrity, and boost the capabilities of Somali state institutions in face of any challenges, including the Somali National Army and its efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the state's control over its entire territory.

In this regard, Sisi and Guelleh emphasized their countries' commitment to send troops to the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

They also stressed the importance of maintaining joint coordination over regional and international issues, whether at bilateral or multilateral levels or through the regional and international forums and organizations, especially the Arab League, the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations.

During their talks, Sisi and Guelleh categorically rejected any actions that threaten the safety and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, underscoring the need to uphold regional security principles, asserting that the primary responsibility for governing and securing this key maritime trade route rests solely with the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden littoral states. (MORE)

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