The Ethiopian government has warned of security risks stemming from the increasing militarization of the Red Sea, fresh attacks on commercial vessels, and the rivalry among foreign powers in the region. It has called for strengthened cooperation among regional states to safeguard maritime trade and prevent the interconnected conflicts unfolding in the Horn of Africa.
Ridwan Hussein, Director General of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), addressed this issue on October 23 during the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Ridwan stated that the strategic importance of the Red Sea and the region’s natural resources have left the Horn of Africa increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical rivalries among global powers and external interference.
Ethiopia’s warning comes at a time when the Red Sea—and the vital shipping lanes connecting Africa, the Middle East, and global markets—are facing security challenges that could disrupt maritime traffic and international trade. Diplomats from European countries have also warned of the economic impact that maritime insecurity could cause—disrupting the flow of goods, increasing transport costs, and affecting the economies of nations that rely on seaborne trade.
In recent years, the Horn of Africa has become a focal point where competing strategic interests converge; the significance of the Red Sea, its natural resources, and the region’s vital waterways have attracted both global and regional powers.
Ethiopia—which has been landlocked since Eritrea gained independence in 1993—has repeatedly emphasized the importance of securing access to the sea. This issue is part of the broader strategic rivalry in the region, although this report does not provide further details regarding the specific steps Ethiopia might seek to take concerning the militarization of the Red Sea.
