Eritrean Foreign Minister Accuses UAE of 'Port Imperialism' Across Africa
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of engaging in 'port imperialism' across Africa, stating that the UAE's extensive port facilities in the region are not solely for economic purposes. According to Saleh, the UAE's two port groups, DP World and AD Ports, hold stakes or manage facilities in various African nations, including Egypt, Tanzania, Somaliland, and Puntland. While some countries have welcomed these investments, others have expressed wariness, with Djibouti canceling a DP World concession in 2018 and Sudan's government calling off a $6 billion port agreement with AD Ports Group in 2022. Eritrea itself rejected a UAE request around 2016 to establish a shared military base with Israel on one of its islands. Saleh emphasized that Eritrea does not want any foreign power to have a 'hub' in its territory. The minister's remarks highlight growing tensions and geopolitical maneuvering in the Horn of Africa, with Eritrea viewing the UAE and Israel as increasingly...
