East Africa: The Race for the Red Sea

What the report says

The Independent in Kampala reports that the Red Sea is becoming a major geopolitical flashpoint, with African states seeking maritime access and sovereignty, Gulf countries expanding their influence, and global powers trying to protect key shipping routes. The article says these competing interests are increasingly overlapping with conflicts in the Horn of Africa, creating broader security risks for the region.

A central example is the worsening dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. According to the report, Ethiopia shut its embassy in Asmara on Oct. 1 and expelled Eritrean diplomats, while Eritrea responded by cutting diplomatic ties. The piece says the dispute is tied to Ethiopia’s long-running effort to secure reliable access to the sea, especially since it has been landlocked since Eritrea’s independence in 1993 and relies heavily on Djibouti for trade.

The article also places Sudan’s war within the same strategic contest. It notes that outside powers including the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia have developed ties with different sides, adding another layer of rivalry around the Red Sea coast and Port Sudan. The report further says Somaliland’s bid for recognition has drawn Israel into the picture, reflecting the wider importance of the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb chokepoint.

Overall, the piece argues that maritime routes, port access and coastal influence are turning the Red Sea corridor into a point where local disputes and international rivalries may converge.