Egypt and Turkey hold talks on Ethiopia and Libya in sign of growing ties

Officials from the foreign ministries of Egypt and Turkey convened this week to discuss Somalia, Libya, and broader cooperation in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions, according to The New Arab. 

The talks focused on strengthening ties after years of strained relations.

Both countries expressed their commitment to restoring normal shipping levels in the Red Sea, where disruptions caused by Houthi attacks have significantly impacted Suez Canal revenues. Additionally, the two nations reiterated their shared support for Somalia's fight against the extremist group Al-Shabaab, which has orchestrated numerous attacks in the region.

On Libya, Egypt and Turkey remain aligned with opposing factions. Turkey backs Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh’s Tripoli-based government, while Egypt supports military leader Khalifa Haftar’s Benghazi-centered administration. Despite these differences, the discussions centered on mutual efforts to “achieve the interests of the brotherly Libyan people.”

This meeting marks a notable step in mending relations between the two nations, which were adversaries for over a decade. 

The rift began when Turkey supported Egypt's former president, Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted in 2013 by current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Relations have improved since their leaders met in Cairo in February for the first time in 12 years. 

Al-Sisi then traveled to Ankara in September where ministers from both countries signed 18 memoranda of understanding covering areas such as energy, defense, tourism, health, agriculture, finance, culture, education, and transportation, according to Reuters.