Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has warned Ethiopia over its preliminary deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland to gain access to the Red Sea. It sits at a strategic location close to the Gulf of Aden and the southern mouth of the Red Sea. Addressing Ethiopia directly, Mr El Sisi said Addis Ababa should aim to secure access to the Red Sea through “traditional channels” with Djibouti, Somalia and Eritrea. The Ethiopian government maintains that access to the Red Sea is an existential necessity for the Horn of Africa nation. EPAEgypt also fears if Ethiopia gains access to the Red Sea via the Somaliland deal, it could be tempted to establish a military presence that could potentially threaten Egyptian interests in the strategic waterway.

Source: Ethiopian News January 21, 2024 14:51 UTC