Leaders of Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea met in the Eritrean capital Asmara to discuss regional issues. Missing from the table was Ethiopia, a country with which all of the three nations are currently at odds with. The three leaders issued a statement, in which they mentioned the need for unequivocal respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the countries of the region. This sudden summit comes when tensions are simmering in the Horn of Africa over strained ties with Ethiopia.