Abdel Salam Al-Awami: Djibouti's Stability is a Guarantee for Global Trade
Sheikh Abdel Salam Al-Zaref Al-Awami, President of the International Body of the Union of Arab Tribes at the Supreme Council for the Arab-African Economy, emphasized that the stability of the Republic of Djibouti represents a "red line" for both Arab and African national security. He highlighted that Djibouti is the cornerstone of security and stability in the Horn of Africa and for global trade movement in the Red Sea, praising the pioneering role played by the Egyptian state in this vital file.
Al-Awami stated that the Egyptian political leadership, headed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, adopts a proactive vision that recognizes Egypt's strategic depth begins at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He explained that a stable Djibouti ensures the security of international navigation and the flow of trade through the Suez Canal, as Djibouti serves as the most critical monitoring and pivotal point at the southern entrance of the Red Sea. Furthermore, a strong and stable Djiboutian state thwarts foreign interference attempts aimed at destabilizing the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa.
Al-Awami described the recent visit of Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, as a "visit of developmental decisiveness." He noted that the current Egyptian movement is characterized by a transition from political understandings to on-the-ground projects, most notably:
The Egyptian Industrial Zone: Set to be a platform for manufacturing and exporting Egyptian products into the heart of the African continent.
Infrastructure Development: Transferring Egypt's leading expertise in roads, railways, and ports to Djibouti, transforming it into a global logistics hub linked to Egypt.
Technical Partnership: Training Djiboutian cadres in port management and logistics to enhance Djibouti's national sovereignty over its resources.
He further clarified that development is the other side of the coin to security; the greater the volume of shared economic interests between Cairo and Djibouti, the stronger the ability of both nations to confront common threats. He called upon Egyptian mega-corporations in construction, renewable energy, and telecommunications to enter the Djiboutian market aggressively.
Al-Awami stressed the necessity of supporting Djibouti's national institutions, warning that any instability in the country would lead to catastrophic repercussions for global trade. He commended the Egyptian model, which goes beyond political backing to provide a framework for "participatory development" aimed at capacity building rather than mere resource exploitation.
He concluded by asserting that the recent Egyptian move toward Djibouti, led by Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir under direct presidential directives, serves as a message of reassurance to allies and a warning to adversaries. It affirms that Egypt is strongly present at the heart of the Horn of Africa's interactions, protecting its national security through bridges of development and sustainable economic cooperation.























