The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that any discussion regarding the Red Sea and Blue Nile must take into account Ethiopia’s interests.
This statement comes after Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt—whom Ethiopia has accused of financing internal armed groups—and Somalia—which previously severed ties with Ethiopia following the Ethio-Somaliland port MoU—issued a joint El-Alamein declaration affirming that governance of the Red Sea belongs exclusively to littoral countries.In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry highlighted that Ethiopia contributes 85 percent of the Blue Nile’s water and is “geographically and historically” connected to the Red Sea, which sits just 30 miles from its border. Therefore, the Ministry emphazied that any regional discussion must consider these realities.
“Despite changes in political boundaries over time, Ethiopia remains closely connected to the Red Sea, with its nearest border lying barely 30 miles from the coast. Accordingly, any serious discussion of regional maritime affairs and security architecture must account for Ethiopia’s legitimate interests and its enduring connection to the Red Sea,” the ministry added.The Ministry further noted that “actions taken through proxies or acts of aggression will not change the facts on the ground, nor will they diminish Ethiopia’s legitimate interests, role, and responsibilities in the region,” in an indirect reference to Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt.
These diplomatic confrontations reached their peak following a resurgence of conflict in northern Ethiopia between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the TPLF. The conflict has drawn widespread fear that it could drag in countries from both the Horn of Africa and the Gulf region.Following the escalation, Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara, expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats from Addis Ababa, and expelled one Egyptian diplomat. Rejecting Ethiopia’s allegations, Eritrea reciprocated by severing all ties, while Egypt ordered Ethiopian embassy staff to leave within 48 hours.
