Addis Ababa (AS) – Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, spokesperson for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has accused Egypt of intensifying actions that “resemble an encirclement” and pursuing a strategy of “provocation” against Ethiopia, a trend observed ever since Ethiopia raised its ambition for sea access.

Speaking to local media during a weekly press briefing on 21 May, Ambassador Nebiat said Ethiopia had observed tensions and things that “resemble provocations” from Egypt since the government publicly elevated its pursuit of sovereign sea access as a national priority.

Since Ethiopia raised its desire for a sea outlet, an increasing and intensifying approach in “activities aimed at choking Ethiopia,” is being observed, Nebiat said, adding that the developments reflected a pattern rather than isolated incidents. Regardless, the Ambassador stressed that Ethiopia “will strengthen and continue [to pursue] its sea access agenda” through peaceful and diplomatic means.

The remarks came days after Egypt and Eritrea signed a maritime transport and Red Sea port connectivity agreement during a visit to Asmara by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir, where they held talks with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.

Following the agreement, Cairo and Asmara reiterated that Red Sea governance and security are matters concerning “only the Red Sea littoral states,” a position Ethiopia views as an attempt to diplomatically isolate the region’s most populous landlocked country.

In an interview with Eritrean state television after the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Abdelatty said, “There is a strong alignment between Egyptian and Eritrean viewpoints that all matters related to the governance and security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are solely the responsibility of the littoral states. This is crystal clear and non-negotiable.”

The visit by Egyptian Foreign Minister marks the latest in a series of high-level engagements between Cairo and Asmara in recent months.

In November 2025, President Isaias accused “foreign powers” of “fueling instability” across the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and the wider African continent during a wide-ranging interview aired by Egyptian local media.

The remarks came during a five-day official visit to Egypt, where Isaias held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi focused on regional security and bilateral cooperation.

At the time, the two leaders described their meeting as “comprehensive discussions” aimed at strengthening economic, political, and security ties, while coordinating efforts to promote stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s “firm commitment to supporting Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while President Isaias praised Cairo’s role in advancing stability and development across the Horn and East Africa.

Source: Addis Standard