Ethiopia Issues Serious Warning: The Red Sea Cannot Be Given to Several Countries

Bahir Dar (Caasimada Online) – Ethiopia has warned that the increasing military activities in the Red Sea, the competition of foreign powers, and attacks on commercial ships pose a threat to the stability of the region and global trade.

The Director of the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service, Redwan Hussein, made this warning during a meeting with special envoys in the city of Bahir Dar on Friday, which is part of the Tana Forum on African security.

“The security of the Red Sea cannot be left solely to the protection of a few coastal countries,” said Redwan, calling for the regional countries and international partners to share that responsibility.

He stated that the strategic location of the Horn of Africa, its natural resources, and the trade routes passing through have attracted powers competing for influence in the region, further complicating its political and security situation.

“The strategic resources of the region and the importance of its location have long been vulnerable to external influence, as major global and regional powers compete for control over it,” he said.

Redwan also pointed out that longstanding grievances, resource disputes, internal conflicts, and threats from extremist groups are challenges to security cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

Interests of Ethiopia

Redwan argued that Ethiopia's reliance on trade through the Red Sea provides the country with economic and security interests that are dependent on the stability of that waterway, even though it does not have a coastline.

Ethiopia became a landlocked country when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. Since then, it has heavily relied on the ports of Djibouti for its foreign trade.

His remarks come at a time when Addis Ababa is pursuing efforts to seek a maritime route, a matter that has sparked tensions between neighboring countries Somalia and Eritrea.

The Ethiopian government insists that it has a significant interest in the security of the shipping lanes through which its goods pass and in preventing threats that could disrupt its trade. However, the countries bordering the Red Sea have often stated that matters concerning the Red Sea should only be discussed by the countries adjacent to it.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is crucial for ships traveling between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that use the Suez Canal.

Attacks on commercial vessels near Yemen have disrupted maritime traffic, forcing some shipping companies to use the longer route around southern Africa.

This change has increased travel times and transportation costs, which could impact the economies of East African countries that rely on oil, machinery, and other goods imported from abroad.

These countries include Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, whose foreign trade is dependent on the security of international maritime routes.

Regional Cooperation

The meeting of the delegation, led by Paul-Simon Handy, focused on the security of the Horn of Africa, the competition of powers, and the increasing threats to the trade routes of the Red Sea.

Participants included Getachew Reda, the Ethiopian advisor on East African affairs, and Guang Cong, the special envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa.

Also participating were the ambassadors of France and Germany to the Horn of Africa, Frédéric Clavier and Heiko Nitzschke, and Pekka Haavisto, the special envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan.

Redwan stated that Ethiopia is ready to work with the regional governments and international organizations to address these challenges.

“I reaffirm once again Ethiopia's commitment to promoting peace in the region, and I hope we can continue our cooperation in other forums,” he said.

This meeting is part of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on African Security, which is taking place from October 23 to 25. Its theme is “Paths to African Peace: Economic Independence and Geopolitical Changes.”

The forum will examine how African-led solutions, economic integration, and diplomatic cooperation can contribute to lasting peace, amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan and overlapping security challenges in the region.