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| Africa North |
| The view from Egypt: Confronting Israel’s penetration of Africa |
| 2026-07-05 |
It’s been a while since I checked this site. Heartfelt word salad nonsense like this is the reason. [AlAhram] Egypt should adopt a range of policies designed to confront the increasing Israeli penetration of the Red Sea region and bolster Egyptian influence across the African continent.I have chosen to write not only from the perspective of a former diplomat but, and more importantly, as an Egyptian citizen who fully appreciates the magnitude of the challenges and pressures confronting Egypt from multiple directions and who holds the deepest respect for the political leadership and its measured positions aimed at safeguarding Egypt’s national interests across every domain. What has prompted me to write at this particular moment is the unprecedented escalation of the dangers surrounding Egypt, most notably Israel’s decision to recognise the self-proclaimed entity of Somaliland followed by the opening of its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. Very clear thus far… These developments unmistakably confirm the trajectory of Israel’s strategic design – a comprehensive penetration of Africa and direct access to the Red Sea region. This is a threat whose implications for freedom of navigation through the Suez Canal and the Bab Al-Mandeb cannot be underestimated and which also involves the militarisation of the southern Red Sea and the disruption of global trade and energy routes.Such developments would pose both direct and indirect threats to the national security of Egypt and the littoral states, while also undermining Arab-Arab relations, disturbing the balance of Arab-African interests, and transforming vital maritime corridors into another arena for geopolitical competition in the Middle East. Translation: This is our clubhouse. No icky Jooos allowed! ‘Cause they ruin everything with their icky cooties!!! I wish to present several ideas, some of which may be considered unconventional, for confronting and containing these dangers. I do so with full awareness that statements of condemnation or denunciations of regional and international decisions are no longer sufficient by themselves to deter the current Israeli government from pursuing its strategic objectives and hostile policies towards us.See? Icky. But at least they’re calling it Israel, not the Jewish entity. Egypt must therefore adopt policies commensurate with the scale of this challenge and capable of protecting its strategic interests without undue concern over possible objections or reservations from external parties while simultaneously impeding these aggressive Israeli practices. My assessment may be summarised through the following considerations.Remember when we thought President General al Sisi would be relatively liberal and enlightened? First, Egypt’s presence in Africa has become increasingly tangible, particularly since President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi assumed the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) in 2019. This has been reflected in the intensification of his meetings with African leaders, Egypt’s sustained commitment to hosting African summits and conferences, and, perhaps most notably, the hosting of the UN COP27 Climate Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh on behalf of Africa in 2022. That event embodied an Egyptian policy founded on shared interests rather than rhetorical slogans.The shared interest being the world including Egypt in Important Meetings and giving them money for various pointless projects, whose funding will mostly slip into the right pockets. Second, I am confident that the political leadership’s efforts to maximise Egypt’s national interests aspire to a broader and deeper framework that transcends the current model of cooperation. Although this model has produced important successes, it remains largely confined to individual achievements and scattered projects that fall well short of the vast opportunities available for cooperation with Africa, a continent endowed with immense industrial, mineral, and energy resources, as well as exceptional investment opportunities.That paragraph was all roughage, no nutrition. Skipping down to the dismount: Under such circumstances, it may seek cooperation with a capable African partner, foremost among such partners Egypt, to achieve broader access by combining the comparative advantages of all the participating parties and creating greater capacity to address Africa’s mutual developmental needs in a manner that advances the interests of everyone involved. If consensus can be reached on this innovative approach, it could later be extended to partnerships with other major actors such as Russia, India, Brazil, and others.Finally, while an African strategy of this nature promises considerable gains and substantial mutual interests for both Egypt and Africa, its success ultimately depends upon prudent and carefully planned management capable of consolidating a strong Egyptian presence within African states and societies. This should be pursued through the effective and well-considered participation of the private sector and a diverse range of national civil society organisations, while adopting a gradual strategy of constraining, containing, and ultimately limiting Israel’s expanding footprint across the African continent. And there we have it. Egypt is Important, Israel somehow needs to be shoved down. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #2 |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2026-07-05 06:28 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Grom the Reflective 2026-07-05 00:02 |