Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s recent visit to Djibouti marked a key moment in ongoing regional diplomacy, as both Egypt and Djibouti reinforced their shared position on the future of Red Sea maritime security. Meeting with President Ismail Omar Guelleh, the two leaders voiced firm opposition to any external interference in the region’s navigational sovereignty.
In a joint statement following the talks, the presidents emphasized that safeguarding the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is the sole responsibility of the states bordering these waters. Their declaration comes amid Ethiopia’s increasing calls for access to the sea, a move that has sparked debate and concern among neighboring countries.
Ethiopia, which lost its coastline after Eritrea’s independence in 1993, has renewed its push for maritime access in recent years. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called sea access a “vital national interest,” arguing that Ethiopia’s growing population and economic ambitions justify a reexamination of its landlocked status. Though Addis Ababa has not signaled a military path, its assertive rhetoric has raised alarm across the region, particularly in Cairo.
Egypt and Djibouti’s discussions extended beyond maritime issues. The leaders also explored cooperation in areas such as security, counterterrorism, education, and water management. They reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace by pledging support for the African Union’s new peacekeeping mission in Somalia, AUSSOM.
Some regional observers interpret Egypt’s recent diplomatic outreach as a strategic counterbalance to Ethiopia’s growing influence. A professor specializing in regional geopolitics noted that the Red Sea dialogue reflects wider concerns about power projection in the Horn of Africa. “What we are seeing is a competition over who sets the rules—not just for sea access, but for regional order,” the analyst said.
Ethiopia’s calls for maritime rights also come at a time of internal upheaval. Analysts suggest that the government’s foreign policy messaging may also serve to redirect public focus from domestic challenges, particularly the prolonged conflict in the Amhara region.
“Sea access is undoubtedly a long-term concern for Ethiopia,” said a political commentator based in Addis Ababa. “But raising the issue now may be just as much about domestic cohesion as it is about strategy. It’s a way to rally public sentiment during a difficult period.”
The Horn of Africa remains on edge due to ongoing conflicts in Sudan, fragile political transitions, and unresolved insurgencies. As regional states navigate this volatile environment, the question of who controls or influences access to the Red Sea remains a defining issue for the future.
Whether Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions will escalate tensions or spark negotiations remains uncertain. For now, Egypt and Djibouti appear determined to maintain the status quo and emphasize regional ownership of maritime governance—underscoring that any shift in the Red Sea’s security structure will require consensus among its coastal nations.