Egypt and the Horn of Africa: Geopolitics, Water, and Regional Influence

Security in Context has published a timely and insightful analysis by Sherif Mansour, an Egyptian-American democracy and human rights advocate, exploring Egypt’s expanding political and military engagement in the Horn of Africa. At the center of the discussion is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has been a flashpoint in regional diplomacy, with Egypt viewing the project as a threat to its water security and national interests.

Mansour, known for his longstanding work defending press freedom and civil society in the Middle East, brings critical insight into how Egypt’s strategic posture in the region intersects with broader authoritarian dynamics. He details Egypt’s efforts to counterbalance Ethiopian influence by supporting rival factions in Sudan and Somalia, as well as proposing peacekeeping deployments. His perspective highlights how overlapping environmental and political crises have intensified regional instability.

In highlighting the links between water, conflict, and power, Mansour urges a broader, collaborative response grounded in diplomacy and regional cooperation. His analysis serves as a reminder of how infrastructural and climate pressures are reshaping state behavior and alliances across East Africa.

Read the full article here:
Security in Context: Egypt and the Horn of Africa