Egypt Vies for African Influence
Foreign Policy
by Nosmot GbadamosiFebruary 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Egypt is increasingly asserting its military and geopolitical influence in the Horn of Africa amid rising regional tensions. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government has been expanding its military presence, carrying out drone strikes against Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as part of Cairo’s growing involvement in neighboring conflicts. This escalation comes alongside efforts to challenge Israel’s strategic moves in the region, particularly after Israel recognized Somaliland—a breakaway region of Somalia—as a sovereign state. Egypt views this recognition as a threat to regional stability and has positioned itself as a counterweight by deploying troops to Somalia under the African Union mission against al-Shabab. Meanwhile, tensions with Ethiopia remain high over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt fears will disrupt its water supply from the Nile.
The Horn of Africa is becoming a flashpoint for proxy conflicts as major powers jostle for influence. Egypt’s actions are seen as part of a broader strategy to encircle Ethiopia by upgrading ports in Djibouti and Eritrea, moves analysts interpret as targeting Addis Ababa. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is reportedly forming a new military coalition with Somalia and Egypt to counter the United Arab Emirates’ regional influence. These developments
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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/25/2026