President Isaias Afwerki’s visit to Egypt this week reminded me of a remarkable letter sent to him by Somaliland’s late President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal on 5 November 1997. Nearly three decades have passed since the letter was written, yet many of its themes remain strikingly relevant to the political realities of the Horn of Africa today.
The letter is often remembered for one powerful sentence in which President Egal lamented that:
“Egyptians, Italians and all our Arab brothers found in the Somali problem a festive sport and political experimentation.”
The quotation is frequently cited because of its blunt assessment of how external actors approached the Somali crisis. However, focusing solely on that sentence risks missing the broader significance of the letter and the strategic vision behind it.
The letter was not merely a criticism of particular countries or regional actors. It was a thoughtful reflection on the future of the Horn of Africa, Somaliland’s place within it, and the dangers posed by external geopolitical competition. Above all, it was an appeal for courageous leadership and a recognition that sustainable solutions must emerge from the realities of the region rather than from the ambitions of outside powers.
More Than a Famous Quote
When reading the letter in its entirety, one discovers that Egal’s message extended far beyond criticism of foreign involvement.
First, the letter expressed sincere appreciation for the relationship between Somaliland and Eritrea. Egal thanked President Isaias Afwerki for his friendship and support, describing Eritrea as a potential ally at a time when Somaliland was struggling for international understanding and recognition.
Second, the letter reflected Somaliland’s frustration with the way the Somali question was being handled internationally. From Egal’s perspective, many external actors continued to pursue policies that ignored realities on the ground and prolonged uncertainty rather than resolving it.
Third, the letter contained a direct appeal for leadership. Egal believed that bold and principled decisions by regional leaders could help break diplomatic deadlock and create new opportunities for peace, cooperation, and stability. He viewed Eritrea as a country that had itself emerged from a successful struggle for self-determination and therefore understood the aspirations of other peoples seeking recognition and political legitimacy.
Most importantly, the letter demonstrated Egal’s strategic understanding of geopolitics. He understood that the Horn of Africa was becoming increasingly important because of its location at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and the Red Sea. He feared that unless regional actors took ownership of their future, external powers would continue to shape the region according to their own interests.
The Horn of Africa Then and Now
Nearly thirty years later, Egal’s concerns appear remarkably prescient.
Today, the Horn of Africa occupies a central place in global geopolitics. The Red Sea has become one of the world’s most strategic waterways, carrying a significant portion of international trade and energy supplies. Competition over ports, maritime access, military facilities, trade corridors, and regional influence has intensified dramatically.
The region has become an arena where global and regional powers pursue overlapping and sometimes competing interests. Egypt, the Gulf states, Türkiye, China, the United States, Russia, European powers, and others all seek influence in one form or another. Meanwhile, questions surrounding the Nile, maritime security, energy routes, and access to the Red Sea continue to shape regional politics.
In many respects, the strategic environment that concerned Egal in 1997 has become even more complex.
His warning was not that countries should avoid international partnerships. Indeed, Somaliland itself has actively pursued relationships with countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. Rather, his concern was that regional issues could become hostage to external rivalries, turning local challenges into geopolitical contests.
The Enduring Relevance of Egal’s Message
One of the most important lessons from Egal’s letter is that peace and stability cannot be built through competing blocs, proxy rivalries, or zero-sum politics.
The Horn of Africa has paid a heavy price whenever external interests have overshadowed local priorities. Lasting peace requires regional ownership, mutual respect among neighbours, constructive diplomacy, and institutions capable of addressing shared challenges.
Egal understood that the future of the region depended not only on political agreements but also on strategic vision. He believed that leaders should look beyond immediate disputes and focus on creating conditions for long-term stability, economic cooperation, and regional integration.
His message remains relevant not only to Eritrea, Somaliland, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, but also to every actor with an interest in the future of the Horn of Africa.
A Timely Reminder
As President Isaias Afwerki engages in discussions in Cairo, Egal’s 1997 letter serves as a reminder that many of the fundamental questions facing the Horn of Africa remain unresolved.
How can regional states cooperate without becoming trapped in external rivalries?
How can strategic interests be balanced with regional stability?
How can countries pursue partnerships while maintaining their independence and agency?
These questions were relevant in 1997 and remain relevant today.
President Egal’s letter was ultimately a call for regional ownership, strategic thinking, and courageous leadership. It urged leaders to resist the temptation of becoming participants in geopolitical games designed elsewhere and instead focus on building a peaceful, prosperous, and self-confident Horn of Africa.
The region should be a bridge connecting continents, economies, and peoples. It should not become a chessboard upon which others compete for influence.
That may be the most enduring lesson of Egal’s letter and perhaps its most important message for the Horn of Africa today.
Reference: The full letter can be found in Letters from a Visionary by Hassan Abdi Madar, a collection of President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal’s correspondence that offers valuable insight into his diplomatic thinking, strategic vision, and leadership.
