In an unexpected move, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made a surprise visit to the UAE, where he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This visit, which was not announced in advance, came amid reports suggesting disagreements between the two countries on several regional issues, including Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and the Red Sea. Despite these rumors, the focus during the visit appeared to be on enhancing economic cooperation between Egypt and the UAE, reflecting the importance of their relationship amid regional challenges.
Timing of the Visit and Its Implications
According to Emirati writer Abdul Aziz Sultan Al Mamari, the timing of Sisi’s visit to the UAE represents a “practical response to rumors” about disagreements between the two countries. He notes that many reports discussing differences between the two stem from “a superficial reading of a natural variance in certain issues.” According to him, confident nations do not elaborate on their relationships but practice them openly.
On the other hand, Dr. Ismail Turki, a political science professor, believes that Sisi’s visit was part of Egypt’s efforts to enhance solidarity and regional coordination. Turki pointed out that Egypt aims to anticipate challenges, recognizing that its national security is closely linked to the security of the region. Thus, the visit comes amid Egypt’s desire to support the stability of national states and their institutions, such as regular armies.
Focus on Economic Relations
The Egyptian presidency’s statement highlighted the vital role of the economy during the visit. In this context, it was confirmed that the UAE is considered an important investment partner for Egypt. For example, last month, the Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport rejected the sale of its stake in the Alexandria Container Handling Company after an Emirati company initiated a mandatory purchase offer.
Al Mamari argued that emphasizing the economic dimension reflects a “shared understanding that the economy is the cornerstone of achieving stability,” while Turki stressed the need for Emirati investments to be based on Egyptian conditions to ensure they do not affect national sovereignty.
Somalia and Sudan Issues
Sisi’s visit comes at a sensitive time for Somalia, where the Somali government has suspended all agreements with the UAE. Dr. Huda Rizk, a political science professor, believes that the Somali issue represents a key point of divergence between Cairo and Abu Dhabi, as Egypt considers Somalia’s security directly linked to its national security, especially amid strained relations with Ethiopia.
Regarding Sudan, Egypt provides strong support to the Sudanese army in its confrontation with the Rapid Support Forces. However, the Egyptian presidency warned that the security of the country is directly linked to the security of Sudan, emphasizing that it will not allow the territorial integrity of Sudan to be threatened.
Sisi’s visit to the UAE can be understood as an attempt to reaffirm the close ties between the two countries amid increasing regional challenges. Despite some differences in positions on specific issues, it seems that Egypt and the UAE are looking to strengthen cooperation and regional coordination, contributing to the maintenance of stability in the region.