Four African Nations Urge Peace in Ethiopia and Beyond

Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan have asked for a reduction in the conflicts in their area. This includes Sudan's civil war and the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia.

They made this request in a joint statement on Sunday. This statement came after a meeting in New Alamein City, Egypt. The countries called for open talks and a peaceful way to solve these issues.

The statement was signed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Mohamud and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The leaders said that cross-border problems need "a dialogue, not confrontation."

They also said that the coastal countries should keep control of the Red Sea. This seems to be a response to Ethiopia's aim for direct access to the sea and a naval presence.

This call for peace comes as tensions rise between Ethiopia's federal government and those in the northern Tigray region. Many people in Ethiopia are worried that this situation could lead back to the kind of war that caused so much suffering a few years ago.