ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s national security and economic stability heavily depend on the Red Sea, as highlighted by Jafar Bedru, Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs. The director emphasized the strategic importance of the Red Sea, not only for Ethiopia but also for regional and global trade during his address to the House of People’s Representatives.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Red Sea is crucial for approximately 20% of global trade, including significant oil and natural gas shipments to Europe and North America. Ethiopia’s imports and exports are completely reliant on this route. He refuted the idea that Ethiopia does not have a stake in the Red Sea, citing the country’s significant involvement in security, political, and economic activities in the area. The narrative that Ethiopia is not a littoral state is incorrect given its proximity and influence in the region.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a session last Thursday, stressed the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden that has disrupted international trade flows. He called for collaboration with neighboring countries—Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan, and Somalia—to foster regional cooperation, peace, and mutual development.

Jafar Bedru highlighted that discussions on security and economic development around the Red Sea must consider Ethiopia’s interests, given its status as the largest country by population and the biggest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. He advocated for Ethiopia’s inclusion in multilateral forums and legal mechanisms to promote peace and security in the region. Furthermore, he stressed that the Red Sea should act as a bridge for Afro-Arab partnership and not a source of division.

The commitment of Ethiopia to comprehensive cooperation and mutual development with all stakeholders in the Red Sea region was also reaffirmed by the executive director.