By Jama Ayaanle Feyte
The Ethiopian government has warned of the security risks arising from the increasing militarization of the Red Sea, recent attacks on commercial vessels, and the rivalry of foreign powers in the region, calling for strengthened cooperation among regional countries to protect maritime trade and prevent interconnected conflicts in the Horn of Africa.
The Director General of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Ridwan Hussein, addressed the issue on October 23 during the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, held in the city of Bahir Dar in Ethiopia.
Ridwan stated that the strategic importance of the Red Sea and the region’s natural resources have made the Horn of Africa increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical rivalries among global powers and foreign interference.
Ethiopia’s warning comes at a time when the Red Sea and key corridors connecting Africa, the Middle East, and global markets face security challenges that could affect maritime traffic and international trade.
European diplomats have also warned of the economic impact that maritime insecurity could cause, disrupting the flow of goods, increasing transportation costs, and affecting the economies of countries dependent on maritime trade.
The Horn of Africa has in recent years become a arena where competing strategic interests converge, as the importance of the Red Sea, the region’s natural resources, and its waterways have attracted both international and regional powers.
Ethiopia, which has been landlocked since Eritrea gained independence in 1993, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of access to a seaport. This issue is part of the strategic rivalry in the region, although this report does not provide further details on the specific measures Ethiopia seeks to take regarding the militarization of the Red Sea.
