In a resolute statement, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi affirmed on Sunday that Egypt will not tolerate any threat to the security of Somalia. His remarks came in response to Ethiopia's consideration of recognizing Somaliland's claim for independence, which would grant Ethiopia access to a crucial seaport.

President Sissi's comments, the strongest thus far from Egypt on the matter, suggest that Cairo may involve itself in the escalating dispute, further heightening tensions in the volatile Horn of Africa region.

Somaliland declared its secession from Somalia in 1991, but has yet to receive international recognition. The proposed port lease deal, agreed upon earlier this month but yet to be finalized, provoked anger from Somalia as it would provide landlocked Ethiopia with direct access to the Gulf of Aden.

During a joint news conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President Sissi asserted, "Egypt will not allow anyone to threaten Somalia or compromise its security. Do not test Egypt or threaten its brothers, especially if they call for our intervention."

In a memorandum of understanding signed on January 1, Ethiopia expressed its willingness to recognize Somaliland's independence in exchange for access to the port of Berbera. The lease agreement includes a 50-year lease of approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) of coastal land for military and commercial use.

President Sissi strongly rejected Ethiopia's attempt to seize land for control purposes, emphasizing that cooperation on development would be a more constructive approach. However, representatives for Ethiopia have not yet responded to President Sissi's remarks.

It is worth noting that Egypt has had strained relations with Ethiopia for years due to a major dam construction on the Blue Nile, a shared water resource. Egypt's foreign ministry has previously referred to Ethiopia as a source of instability in the region, although Ethiopia dismissed the claim as irrelevant.

As the situation unfolds, the involvement of Egypt in the Somaliland independence dispute adds a new layer of complexity to an already fragile situation in the Horn of Africa. The implications of this dispute and Egypt's response will likely be closely monitored by regional and international observers alike.