Eritrea has accused the UAE of pursuing “port colonialism” across Africa, questioning Abu Dhabi’s expanding investments and strategic presence at key ports along the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and East Africa.
ASMARA, Eritrea (Somali Report) — Eritrea has accused the United Arab Emirates of pursuing what it described as “port colonialism” across Africa, questioning the motives behind Abu Dhabi’s growing investments and strategic presence at ports along the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and East Africa.
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, speaking in an interview with Middle East Eye, said the UAE’s expanding footprint at ports across the region could not be explained by commercial interests alone.
“The UAE has port facilities in many places in the region, and African countries should ask why,” Saleh said. “Is it only economics? No.”
Two major UAE port operators, DP World and AD Ports Group, have invested in or manage port facilities in several African countries, including Egypt, Tanzania and Somalia.
DP World operates the port of Berbera in Somaliland, a breakaway administration that Somalia considers part of its territory, while the company has also developed a significant role at the port of Bosaso in Somalia’s Puntland region.
Puntland this year rejected Mogadishu’s decision to sever relations with the UAE, highlighting wider political differences between Somalia’s federal government and the semi-autonomous region over ties with Abu Dhabi.
While several African governments have welcomed UAE investment as a source of infrastructure and trade, Abu Dhabi’s efforts to secure stakes or management rights at strategically important ports have also faced resistance.
Djibouti terminated DP World’s contract to operate the Doraleh container terminal in 2018, while Sudan cancelled a 2022 agreement under which AD Ports Group had planned to develop a $6 billion port on the Red Sea coast.
The Sudan dispute has also become entangled in the region’s broader geopolitical competition. The UAE has been accused of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, in Sudan’s civil war, allegations Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied.
Eritrea rejects permanent foreign presence
Eritrea, which has a long coastline along the Red Sea, occupies a strategically important position for regional shipping and security.
The UAE established a military base at Assab in southern Eritrea in 2016, using the facility during military operations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
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Relations between Asmara and Abu Dhabi later deteriorated.
A senior Eritrean official told Middle East Eye that Eritrea rejected a UAE request to establish a military base on one of the Dahlak Islands, reportedly for joint use by the UAE and Israel.
Saleh said Eritrea had also resisted efforts by DP World to establish a presence in the country.
“We did not want DP World in Eritrea,” he said. “We do not want a foreign power to establish a large, permanent base in Eritrea.”
The comments underscore Asmara’s concerns that port investments could evolve into long-term military or political influence.
Ethiopia and Somaliland tensions
Eritrea has also expressed concern over the UAE’s growing relationship with Ethiopia and developments involving Somaliland.
Relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have deteriorated following the countries’ cooperation during the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly stressed the need for his landlocked country to secure reliable access to the sea, raising concerns in Asmara.
Eritrean officials have also criticised the UAE’s close ties with Ethiopia, including military cooperation and the reported use of UAE-supplied drones by Ethiopian forces.
Saleh said Eritrea believed the UAE and Israel were expanding their cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
“The UAE and Israel have already met in Somaliland,” he said, referring to growing Israeli engagement with the self-declared territory.
Somaliland has previously indicated interest in possible Israeli security or military cooperation as it seeks international recognition.
Saleh also criticised Ethiopia’s ambitions in the Red Sea, saying Abiy was pursuing a strategy aimed at securing maritime access for his landlocked country.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
