Egypt Intensifies Red Sea Security Framework, Potentially Excluding Ethiopia
Egypt is actively pursuing a more coordinated Red Sea security framework, engaging in diplomatic efforts with coastal partners like Somalia and Djibouti. On November 7, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate meetings with his Somali and Djiboutian counterparts in Tripoli, Libya, reaffirming Cairo’s stance that Red Sea security and governance should be the exclusive responsibility of littoral states. These discussions followed broader regional consultations in October. The objective is to establish a regional consensus that could potentially limit Ethiopia's maritime ambitions. Ethiopia, a landlocked nation since Eritrea's independence in 1993, relies heavily on regional ports for its economic future. Egypt's diplomatic offensive raises questions about whether Addis Ababa is being pushed out of central decision-making structures regarding the strategic waterway, despite its significant economic stake in maritime access.
