Ethiopia has reacted angrily to a joint statement by Somalia, Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan on Nile waters, Red Sea security and regional sovereignty, amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Somali Report) — Ethiopia has reacted angrily to a joint statement signed by Somalia, Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan in Egypt’s New Alamein on October 4, saying several provisions directly touch on its interests in the Nile River and Red Sea, amid growing regional tensions.
The four countries issued the statement following talks focused on regional security, sovereignty, the Red Sea and the use of Nile waters. They agreed to strengthen political, economic and security cooperation and establish mechanisms to follow up on decisions and outcomes from future meetings.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to respecting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of states in the region, while calling for disputes to be settled through dialogue and peaceful means. The language has drawn particular attention in Addis Ababa as Ethiopia faces increasingly complex relations with several of the countries involved.
On the Nile, the four governments called for respect for international law governing transboundary watercourses. They specifically emphasized the principle that states should avoid causing significant harm to other countries and said major measures involving shared waters should be based on prior notification, consultation and agreement.
The provisions come against the backdrop of the longstanding dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the management of the Nile, particularly the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Addis Ababa has built on the Blue Nile. Ethiopia maintains that it has the sovereign right to develop its natural resources for economic growth, while Egypt has repeatedly insisted that projects upstream must not undermine its access to vital Nile waters.
The joint statement also addressed the Red Sea, stressing that coastal states have a particular responsibility for the security and management of the strategic waterway. The issue is particularly sensitive for Ethiopia, a landlocked country that has intensified efforts in recent years to secure reliable access to the sea.
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Ethiopian officials have repeatedly argued that access to a port is important for the country's economic and strategic interests. Addis Ababa has pursued arrangements with neighboring states that could provide it with maritime access, a policy that has generated concern among some countries in the Horn of Africa.
The statement was also issued at a particularly tense moment in Ethiopia's relations with Eritrea. Addis Ababa has accused Asmara of supporting armed groups opposed to the Ethiopian federal government, allegations Eritrea has rejected.
Eritrea has maintained that it is not involved in renewed fighting in parts of Ethiopia and has dismissed accusations that it is seeking to destabilize its neighbor.
The emerging alignment between Somalia, Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan is therefore likely to be closely watched in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia's relations with Egypt remain strained over the Nile, while its ties with Eritrea have deteriorated amid mutual accusations.
For Somalia, the regional alignment also comes as Mogadishu seeks to strengthen its diplomatic and security partnerships while asserting its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Horn of Africa.
The New Alamein statement does not explicitly name Ethiopia, but its references to Nile water management, Red Sea security and respect for sovereignty have been interpreted in Addis Ababa as carrying clear strategic implications for Ethiopia.
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.
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