The leaders at the summit
The Alamein Quadrilateral Consultative Summit
The Joint Alamein Declaration was issued following the quadrilateral summit held among Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia in the New Alamein City on October 4, 2026.
The summit was attended by Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudan’s Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The declaration addressed issues relating to national sovereignty, the war in Sudan, Somalia’s unity, Red Sea security, the dispute over Nile waters, and the enhancement of economic cooperation and regional coordination.
Executive Summary of the Main Provisions of the Alamein Declaration:
The Alamein Declaration establishes a common political framework among the four countries around three interconnected issues: protecting national states from fragmentation and external interference, affirming the role of littoral states in managing Red Sea security, and coordinating positions on Nile waters.
- National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: Emphasizing respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of regional states; rejecting interference in their internal affairs; supporting national institutions; and encouraging political and peaceful solutions to conflicts.
- Sudan: Supporting Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions; rejecting the establishment of parallel entities; encouraging the resumption of a political process under Sudanese ownership and leadership; and categorically rejecting any support for mercenaries.
- Somalia: Affirming the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia; rejecting any interference that undermines its territorial integrity; rejecting recognition of, or support for, the entity known as “Somaliland”; and supporting efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen Somali state institutions.
- 4. The Red Sea and Maritime Corridors: Emphasising freedom of navigation and affirming that governance of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of the states bordering it, while highlighting the importance of maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- 5. Nile Waters and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD): Emphasising respect for international law governing transboundary rivers, the principle of no significant harm, prior notification, consultation, and consensus, while rejecting unilateral measures that harm the existing water uses of the downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan.
- 6. Cooperation and Follow-up Mechanisms: Strengthening political, commercial, economic, and cultural relations; developing regional connectivity in infrastructure, energy, and trade; and establishing a mechanism to follow up on the summit’s outcomes through regular meetings and additional meetings as needed.
The Full Alamein Declaration
The Joint Alamein Declaration, issued following the quadrilateral summit bringing together Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia, represents an important milestone in regional coordination on the political and security challenges facing the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The declaration reaffirmed a set of fundamental principles, foremost among them respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejection of interference in internal affairs, support for national institutions, and recourse to political and peaceful solutions in addressing conflicts.
The significance of the declaration lies in both its timing and its substance, as the region faces increasing interconnections between internal crises and regional competition over ports, maritime corridors, and strategic resources. In this context, the quadrilateral consensus reflects a shared recognition that regional stability requires respect for state sovereignty, stronger cooperation among neighboring countries, and avoidance of measures that could exacerbate conflicts or undermine mutual trust.
Sudan and the Unity of the State
The declaration is particularly significant for Sudan, as it reaffirms support for the country’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions, rejects the establishment of parallel entities, and categorically rejects any support for mercenaries.
It also emphasises the need to resume a political process under Sudanese ownership and leadership, underscoring that resolving the Sudanese crisis should be based on respect for national will and the preservation of state institutions, while supporting political and peaceful efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
This common position represents a diplomatic asset for Sudan, strengthening prospects for broader regional understanding on the need to preserve the nation-state.
It also underscores that achieving sustainable peace is linked to ending external interference, cutting off support to armed insurgents, and supporting solutions that take into account the specific circumstances of the Sudanese situation.
Somalia and State Sovereignty
Regarding Somalia, the declaration reaffirmed support for the unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and rejected any recognition of or support for the entity known as “Somaliland” that would undermine Somalia’s territorial integrity. It also called for support for counterterrorism efforts and the strengthening of Somali national institutions.
This position reflects the four countries’ commitment to the principle of territorial integrity and highlights the need to address issues related to ports and access to the sea through arrangements that respect state sovereignty and international law.
The Red Sea and Nile Waters
On maritime affairs, the declaration emphasised freedom of navigation and affirmed that governance of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of the states bordering it.
This underscores the importance of strengthening consultations among these countries on maritime security and the protection of shared interests, while taking into account the international rules governing navigation and trade.
Regarding Nile waters, the leaders emphasised respect for international law governing Transboundary Rivers, the principle of no harm, prior notification, consultation, and consensus, while rejecting unilateral measures that harm the existing water uses of Egypt and Sudan. This highlights the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding in managing water resources, as fundamental pillars of water security and regional stability.
From Political Consensus to Joint Action
The true value of the Alamein Declaration lies not only in the positions it articulates but also in the ability to translate them into practical mechanisms for coordination and cooperation.
In this regard, the proposed establishment of a mechanism to follow up on the summit’s outcomes is particularly important, alongside efforts to strengthen cooperation in trade, energy, infrastructure, and regional connectivity.
Ultimately, the Alamein Declaration provides a political foundation for enhancing consultations among the four countries on issues of sovereignty, security, and development. It also creates opportunities for a more coordinated regional approach to shared challenges.
The success of this initiative, however, will depend on sustained dialogue, adherence to the declared principles, and the transformation of political consensus into practical initiatives that support regional stability and safeguard the interests of the region’s peoples.
Challenges Facing the Alamein Declaration
Despite the positive aspects highlighted in the declaration, the Alamein Summit faces several challenges. These include the difficulty of translating political consensus into concrete diplomatic action, continued regional competition and disagreements over ports, as well as divergent interests and the involvement of multiple regional and international actors.
Disagreements over the rules governing the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) also represent a challenge to achieving regional consensus. Another key concern is ensuring sustained follow-up and the implementation of the summit’s outcomes.
Accordingly, the summit’s strategic effectiveness will depend on the four countries’ ability to move beyond a declaration of principles toward specific action programmes, establish cooperation priorities, and strengthen regular consultations on regional crises. These efforts are essential to transforming political understandings into practical, implementable measures.
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