Addis Ababa, April 9, 2025 (ENA): Neighboring countries of the Horn of Africa should grant Ethiopia maritime access in the spirit of pan-Africanism and regional cooperation, emphasized Edgar Githua, an analyst specializing in international relations, diplomacy, and security.
Edgar Githua, also a lecturer in international relations and diplomacy at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya, provided an insightful analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of militarization in the Horn of Africa and the proliferation of maritime ports in the region.
He pointed out that the Horn of Africa has become the most militarized zone in the world, with several countries, including global powers, establishing more than a dozen military bases there.
According to Githua, these foreign actors have their own economic, geopolitical, and security interests in the region.
He warned that if global powers seek to secure certain agreements with these nations and their demands are not met, these military bases could be used to exert pressure, or even trigger conflicts.
Edgar Githua also examined the proliferation of maritime ports from two perspectives. He emphasized that an increase in the number of ports could be highly beneficial for African countries, as it would open new trade routes and enable countries to boost their exports to Asian and European markets.
Ethiopia, the largest landlocked country in the world and a member state of the Horn of Africa, does not have direct access to the sea.
Meanwhile, foreign powers have managed to secure ports in the region for both commercial and military purposes.
Edgar Githua called for neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa to grant Ethiopia maritime access in the spirit of pan-Africanism and regional cooperation.
Source: ena
