It was a diplomacy-heavy night on the airwaves, with the nation’s talking heads hyperfixed on the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to the capital yesterday and his talks with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

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A military cooperation protocol: The two sides oversaw the signing of a military cooperation protocol between the two countries, according to an Ittihadiya statement that provided little to no detail on what the protocol entails. Last month, Somalia’s cabinet approved a mutual defense agreement with Egypt.

El Sisi’s comments: “The cooperation protocol comes within the framework of enhancing cooperation. We do not interfere in the affairs of other countries, and we respect International Law, and state sovereignty,” El Sisi said during the joint presser that took place following the talks between the two sides. “It is very important for neighboring countries to respect the sovereignty of countries and support Somalia. The presser received airtime on Ala Masouleety (watch, runtime: 6:26) and Salat El Tahrir (watch, runtime: 2:21).

El Sisi reiterated support for Somalia, stressing Egypt’s “support of the unity and sovereignty of Somalia over its lands, and rejecting any interference in its internal affairs.” The two sides also discussed issues of common interest and agreed to work together over the coming period to ensure the Horn of Africa and secure and stable.

In context: Somalia and Ethiopia have been rowing for months after Ethiopia inked an agreement in early January with breakaway region Somaliland, granting it 50-year access to Somaliland’s Berbera port in exchange for eventual recognition and an undisclosed stake in Ethiopian Airlines. Somalia was quick to snub the accord, labeling the move as “null and void.”

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