The Red Sea route is strategically vital as it connects Africa, Asia and Europe. Hence, many nations have been displaying disposition towards controlling this important trade route. According to historical manuscripts, especially since the 19th century, Ottoman Turky, Egypt and several European nations had been showing interest in the Red Sea.
They had also been trying to establish their military base there. Still, the trend of militarization and rivalry for control has continued. As a recent development, the United States, China, France and other Arab nations have established their base in the Red Sea coast.
How significant is the Red Sea route to the global economy? How could it affect Ethiopia? What should be done to be part of the Red Sea economic and diplomatic interaction? Why must the Ethiopian government consolidate the good relationship with neighboring countries Eritrea and Djibouti? East African Political and Security Analyst, Kasay Gebreyesus, says that the Red Sea region puts in one basket more than 20 countries which use it as their major trading corridor. The landlocked Ethiopia’s foreign trade also leans on it.
He adds that the rivalry of various forces to exploit the geopolitical importance of the Red Sea region could wield influence on Ethiopia’s future. France and the US has military base in Djibouti for decades. Other nations are following in their footsteps, Kasay states. “China has built naval base in Djibouti. Turkey has signed an agreement with Sudan to expand the port at Suakin. UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran have also shown their interest to invest in the Red Sea area to optimize their strategic advantages,’’ he notes.
Many cargo-ships make their journey through this strategic route. China only sends one trillion USD worth of commodities via Red Sea trade corridor every year. This shows the importance of the area.’’ He points out that countries in the region should strengthen their cooperation to ensure peace and security so as to make the region the most vital trade corridor in the world. ‘‘Stabilizing the Horn of African region especially the highly strategic Red Sea should be the assignment of all regional countries and global powers.
They should work hand-in-hand to fight ISIS, Al-Qaida, pirates and others militant groups. Continuous instability in this region could spark economic crisis in the world especially in Sub-Saharan African countries,’’ he stresses. Ethiopia must strengthen its diplomatic relations with Horn African countries to ensure its national interest and security, according to Suleiman Adem, Political Science and International Relations Lecturer at Mekelle University.
‘‘The era is a time of competition. There are lots of competing powers in the Red Sea region. Ethiopia should design feasible policies and strategies which protect its strategic interest. It must work closely with its neighbors in this regard,’’ he underlines. Suleiman adds that Ethiopia needs to consolidate its ties with Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and others which have huge investment contribution in the country and decisive role in the Red Sea zone.
‘‘Political and economic integration is very important in sustaining peace and security in the volatile Horn Africa especially in the strategic Red Sea. Reinforcing trade and investment must be made a point of. If the countries have economic integration, they will be vanguards of peace and stability of their region,’’ he reaffirms. According to him, the war in Yemen would continue disturbing the Horn of Africa, Red Sea area and Middle East as regional actors are not willing to stop their proxy wars.
‘‘The war in Yemen has been claiming the life of innocent civilians and creating material destruction. Besides, it is posing a serious threat in the secu rity of our region. Hence, it has to be stopped through diplomatic means.’’ Ethiopia has been endeavoring to build its economy on export-oriented manufacturing industry. Port accessibility would have paramount role in realizing its dream, says Yonas Fisseha, Economics Lecture at Addis Ababa University.
‘‘Despite its lack of even growth, Ethiopia has been registering double digit economic growth over the last two decades. The road which leads towards industrialization is encouraging. However, industrialization without port would not be successful. Thus, the nation should strive to maintain its interest in the strategic Red Sea coast,’’ he points out.
Knowing the significance of ports to the Ethiopian economy, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been constantly stressing that the country would involve in developing and buying stakes in neighboring countries’ ports and as part of the plan Ethiopia has bought stakes in the port of Djibouti, he notes. ‘‘Ethiopia is heavily dependent on the port of Djibouti that 90 percent of its foreign trade is undertaken through this port.
However, it wouldn’t be enough for its evergrowing economy and population,’’ he says. ‘‘It has huge ambition to expand its ports. It aims at developing ports in Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan. This was highlighted when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited those countries and discussed with their leaders.’’ Ethiopia, the second populous nation in Africa, has prominent role in the Horn of African region.
It has been striving to sustain peace and stability. However, it needs to boost its efforts of poltical and economic integration in the strategic Red Sea so as to enhance the benefit of all in the region. It should work with its neighbors and global actors on ways of ensuring its national interest.
The Ethiopian Herald, Sunday Edition May 12/2019
BY TSEGAY HAGOS
