ADDIS ABABA (WDN) — Israel has publicly backed Ethiopia’s long-running efforts to secure direct access to the Red Sea, marking a significant diplomatic development in a dispute that could reshape political and security dynamics across the Horn of Africa.

Israel’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Avraham Neguise, said support for Ethiopia’s pursuit of maritime access was part of Israel’s official policy.

He argued that Ethiopia’s access to the sea was not only an economic issue but also a matter of regional security, given the strategic importance of the Red Sea and its surrounding waterways.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, speaking during celebrations marking the country’s New Year, said Ethiopia’s campaign to secure maritime access had received international support, an apparent reference to Israel’s position.

Ethiopia has sought reliable access to the sea for years, particularly since becoming landlocked following Eritrea’s independence in 1993. But the latest Israeli endorsement raises questions about where Addis Ababa may ultimately seek that access.

It remains unclear whether Ethiopia’s long-term options will involve Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti or Eritrea, and no new agreement determining a specific route has been confirmed.

The issue is particularly sensitive for Somalia, which has strongly opposed arrangements it believes could undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Israel’s intervention therefore comes at a delicate moment for the region, as competition over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and strategically located ports continues to intensify.

The question now facing the Horn of Africa is not simply whether Ethiopia will secure maritime access, but where that access will be established and whether it can be achieved through agreements that respect the sovereignty and interests of neighboring states.

This version keeps the story short while making the Israeli endorsement, Ethiopia’s response and the unresolved regional implications the central news points.

WardheerNews