CAIRO — Egypt and Eritrea on Sunday reaffirmed their shared position that the security, governance, and strategic management of the Red Sea must remain the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering the vital maritime corridor, rejecting any attempts by non-littoral states to assume security roles or obtain maritime access in ways that violate international law and established regional frameworks.
The position was expressed during discussions between senior officials from the two countries as regional powers continue consultations on security developments in the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea basin.
According to statements released following the talks, both sides emphasized the need to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of Red Sea coastal states. They stressed that any arrangements concerning maritime security, navigation, military presence, or regional cooperation should be based on mutual respect, international law, and the consent of the countries directly bordering the sea.
Egypt and Eritrea further underlined that the Red Sea occupies a unique strategic position in global trade and international shipping. The waterway serves as a critical route connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia through the Suez Canal, making stability in the region essential for international commerce and energy supplies.
The discussions come at a time of heightened geopolitical competition in the Horn of Africa, where maritime access, port development, and security partnerships have become increasingly significant issues. Both countries voiced concern over what they described as efforts by non-coastal actors to influence security arrangements in the Red Sea region or pursue maritime ambitions without the agreement of affected states.
Officials from both nations stressed that lasting peace and stability in the Red Sea can only be achieved through cooperation among the region’s coastal countries. They called for stronger coordination on security matters, combating transnational threats, protecting maritime routes, and preserving regional stability.
The Egyptian and Eritrean positions are widely viewed as reflecting concerns over recent developments in the Horn of Africa, where debates over sea access, port agreements, and regional alignments have intensified diplomatic tensions among several countries.
Analysts note that Cairo and Asmara have increasingly coordinated their positions on regional security issues in recent years, particularly regarding developments affecting the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa, and neighboring Sudan. Both governments have repeatedly emphasized that the future of the Red Sea should be determined by the states that directly border it rather than by external actors seeking strategic influence in the region.
The latest discussions underscore the growing importance of the Red Sea in regional and international politics, as governments seek to balance national interests, economic opportunities, and security concerns in one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways.
