Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs Mohamed Karim Sherif highlighted the importance of an intervention by the Somali authorities to secure the release of Egyptian sailors hijacked aboard the oil tanker M/T Eureka.

In a Monday meeting in Cairo with Somali Ambassador Ali Abdi Awari, Sherif emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the safety and security of the detained citizens and releasing them at the earliest opportunity.

Awari outlined Mogadishu’s ongoing high-level communications and efforts to resolve the hostage crisis safely.

Beyond the maritime hijacking, the diplomats discussed Cairo’s broader strategic initiatives to safeguard Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.

Sherif underscored Egypt’s commitment to supporting the Somali federal government in expanding state control over its entire territory to combat terrorism and foster sustainable development.

The talks also touched upon regional maritime security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Both officials agreed on the necessity of aligning positions among Arab and African littoral states, emphasizing that security frameworks in these strategic waterways must remain under the exclusive domain of neighboring coastal nations.