Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s pursuit of maritime access is a permanent national imperative driven by the vision of security, economic viability, and regional integration, as emphasized by IFA Executive Director Jafar Bedru. The 3rd Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Dialogue was convened in Addis Ababa under the theme “Navigating Gulf-Horn Economic and Security Cooperation: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions.”
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Executive Director of IFA affirmed that the meeting reflects a collective resolve to foster meaningful engagement, build mutual understanding, and advance a shared vision for regional peace, security, and prosperity. The IFA is committed to producing actionable research for foreign policy actors and serving as a hub for thought leadership in diplomacy, peace, and international cooperation.
The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden corridor is considered a critical geopolitical interface, and from Ethiopia’s perspective, it is vital for long-term stability, governance, and
accessibility. Ethiopia’s pursuit of guaranteed maritime access is not a passing concern but a permanent national imperative driven by the vision of security, economic viability, and regional integration. For too long, Ethiopia has been excluded from the Red Sea security arrangements and forced to rely on limited transit routes.
Ethiopian Diaspora Service Director General Fitsum Arega emphasized the importance of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in connecting the Horn of Africa and the Middle East states to the international market. Historically, there has been significant economic and security cooperation between the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. The renewed connection has the potential to transform economic and security collaboration in the region, given the strategic economic and security ties between these areas.
Ethiopia needs to strategically position itself to enhance its economic ties with the rest of the world and actively participate in combating piracy, violent extremism, and terrorism, whi
ch are significant challenges in the region. Ethiopia’s openness to investment, trade, and development has the potential to attract Middle Eastern countries and Africa, supported by the country’s fast-growing economy.
The National Defense Forces (NDF) Training Head, Lieutenant General Yimer Mekonnen, underscored that cooperation between the Horn of Africa and the Gulf region is not merely diplomatic but a matter of regional stability. Ethiopia’s strategic pursuit of maritime access is grounded on mutual respect, transparency, and regional cooperation.