Red Sea: Al-Sissi Calls for Exclusive Presence of Naval Forces from Riparian Countries
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi’s whirlwind visit to Djibouti on April 23, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., addressed the main political and security issues of the visit.
1. Political and Security Highlights of Al-Sissi’s Visit to Djibouti
Al-Sissi’s visit to Djibouti reflects a clear desire on the part of both leaders to strengthen their strategic partnership in various areas, including security, energy, trade, and regional cooperation. Several priority areas were addressed during the meeting:
- Regional Security and the Fight Against Terrorism: The two Presidents affirmed their shared rejection of threats to security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, a vital international trade artery. They underlined the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for the governance and security of this waterway. This point is particularly relevant in a context where Houthi attacks in Yemen have disrupted maritime traffic, resulting in a significant drop in Suez Canal revenues for Egypt.
- Coordination on Regional Issues: Discussions also covered sensitive issues such as the situation in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, and the need to preserve the stability and territorial integrity of these countries. The two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts peacefully.
- Security in the Red Sea: This is based on the exclusive presence of the riparian countries, which are responsible for its governance and protection. This approach aims to guarantee freedom of navigation, prevent terrorist threats, and regulate maritime flows. Initiatives such as the Council of Riparian States reinforce this regional cooperation to ensure stability and shared economic prosperity.
2. Does the Rejection of Threats to Security and Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea Apply to Ethiopia?
Al-Sissi and Guelleh’s rejection of threats to security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea does not explicitly mention Ethiopia. However, it is important to note that Ethiopia, although landlocked, plays an indirect role in regional dynamics due to its privileged access to the port of Djibouti, which serves as a crucial outlet for its international trade. Ethiopia’s position could therefore be perceived as ambiguous, as Addis Ababa aspires to strengthen its maritime presence by developing a naval force without necessarily aligning itself with the security priorities of the countries bordering the Red Sea.
On the other hand, the historical rivalry between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Renaissance Dam (GERD) could influence mutual perceptions. However, it would be premature to accuse Ethiopia without tangible proof.
3. Can Guelleh Support Both Ethiopia’s Naval Force Project and Egypt’s Position?
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh’s position seems complex, even ambivalent, in this context. On the one hand, Djibouti enjoys close economic and strategic relations with Ethiopia, which relies heavily on its ports for exports and imports. On the other hand, Guelleh shares with Al-Sissi a common vision of regional security, based on the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering the Red Sea to secure this waterway.
Theoretically, Guelleh could support both positions simultaneously, but this would require skilful diplomacy. For example, he could encourage Ethiopia to participate in collective security efforts via the Council of Red Sea States, while maintaining his strategic alignment with Egypt. However, such an approach would risk creating tensions if Ethiopia perceived this collaboration as a brake on its maritime ambitions.
4. Is Ethiopia’s Power Cut a Response to Guelleh’s Weathervane Stance?
Ethiopia’s load shedding of the electricity connection on April 23, 2025, could be interpreted as a retaliatory measure against Djibouti. If so, it would reflect Ethiopian dissatisfaction with Guelleh’s position, perceived as too close to Egypt. However, it is also possible that this incident was linked to technical or operational constraints rather than political motivations.
Conclusion
Al-Sissi’s visit to Djibouti highlights the strategic importance of regional cooperation in addressing security and economic challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Although the two presidents share a common vision of maritime security, Guelleh’s position vis-à-vis Ethiopia remains delicate. In a regional context marked by underlying tensions, diplomacy will be essential to maintain a delicate balance between the divergent interests of regional players.
Source: hch24
