Ethiopia advocates for shared Red Sea security

At the Tana Forum in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia’s intelligence chief, Redwan Huseen, called for collective regional responsibility for Red Sea security. Speaking on October 23, Huseen argued that no small group of states can secure the vital maritime corridor alone, particularly in light of ongoing threats to shipping near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

As a landlocked nation, Ethiopia relies heavily on Red Sea trade routes connecting Asia to Europe. While Ethiopia’s need for reliable maritime access is a central pillar of its foreign policy, recent discussions have highlighted growing tensions with neighboring Eritrea. Some Ethiopian political figures have raised concerns that the push for maritime access may involve ambitions for territorial control or regime change in Eritrea, though such claims lack independent corroboration.

Getachew Reda, an advisor to the Prime Minister on East African affairs, also addressed the forum, accusing Eritrea of fomenting regional crisis. The forum, which runs through October 25, serves as a key platform for discussing the militarization of the region and the economic implications of Red Sea instability.