Asmara – Forum of The Horn Vision "HAPC"

Date: May 20, 2026

While Ethiopia is seeking peaceful solutions to its claim to a sea outlet on Red Sea coast, Egypt has, without precedent, provoked and incited Eritrea to take clear and hostile positions against Ethiopia.

During the signing of a cooperation agreement between Eritrea and Egypt in the field of maritime transport, the Egyptian Foreign Minister made provocative statements to the parties in the countries of the Horn of Africa, saying that ” the security of Red Sea remains the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering it, foremost among them Egypt”.

Egypt is Geographically Bypassing Saudi Arabia to Extend  Hand of Maritime Economic Cooperation to Eritrea . What is the Reason?

The agreement was signed in the Eritrean capital in the presence of President Isaias Afwerki , during the visit by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty and Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir.

The minister explained that the maritime agreement and the new shipping line will enhance logistical connectivity and support trade by making full use of the strategic locations of both countries.

He added that Egypt is ready to transfer its expertise in the fields of railways, ports and maritime transport to support bilateral economic integration; Speaking about regional security, Abdel-Aati stated that the management and security of Red Sea are closely linked to the national security of the countries bordering it, stressing the need to not involve non-Red Sea countries in any related arrangements or understandings.

Observers described Egypt’s approach to the Horn of Africa as a state of confusion, a search for self-serving alternatives against Ethiopia after its claims regarding the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) were rejected by the international community . International observers also noted that Minister Abdel-aty’s rhetoric has become provocative and exaggerated, given that Egypt is located in Northeast Africa, yet its provocative interventions extend to the internal affairs of Horn of Africa countries within Southeast Africa.

Egyptian Statements are Biased Despite Ethiopia’s Peaceful Stance:

The minister also affirmed Cairo’s support for Eritrea’s vision regarding the management of Red Sea, which emphasizes the unity and sovereignty of the countries bordering it.

In reviewing developments in Sudan and Somalia, Minister Abdel-Aty reiterated Egypt’s position on maintaining stability in the Horn of Africa, describing the region as a direct extension of Egyptian national security . He affirmed Egypt’s full support for Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with a broader commitment to supporting national state institutions throughout the region.

It is worth mentioning that the Arab state of Egypt, in a reckless step, seeks to create a state of strategic balance in its favor against Ethiopia at the expense of fueling the state of political and military tension between the countries of the Horn of Africa region, by adopting methods and approaches contrary to international political and diplomatic norms and traditions.

This is evident in the Egyptian media context, which says : “ According to the directives of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egyptian ministers accompanied a delegation from the private sector to meet with business representatives with Afwerki to discuss trade partnerships in priority sectors such as mining, transportation, pharmaceutical industries and fisheries, in addition to capacity-building and training programs led by Egypt for Eritrean personnel”.

The Eritrean Position:

Eritrea welcomed and accepted the Egyptian visits and provocative statements against its neighbor Ethiopia, with Isaias Afwerki, praising them, who asked that his greetings be conveyed to Al-Sisi, praised Egypt’s active role , claiming that ” the support for security in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea will not be forgotten”.

Observers noted that while Ethiopia seeks to improve relations with neighboring Eritrea and move towards peaceful solutions to end tensions over the Eritrean- Ethiopian border and maritime rights for all countries in the Horn of Africa region, Eritrea’s approach includes a provocative context that further deepens the state of non-peace in the Horn of Africa region, in a scenario where Egypt is the main player in fueling the conflict without getting involved in it, but rather distancing itself from it geographically and strategically.