Egypt is strengthening its military presence in the ports of the Horn of Africa opposite Ethiopia

According to the sources, within the framework of agreements signed secretly, Egypt will work to upgrade the strategic port of Assab in Eritrea and the port of Durala in Djibouti, located on the shores of the Gulf of Aden. The moves include increasing the capacity of the ports, establishing dedicated docks for warships and allowing for the deployment of limited but elite military forces.

One of the sources was quoted as saying that the agreements “give legitimacy to the Egyptian military presence in both countries”, adding that Egyptian warships already visit these ports on a regular basis.

In the background of the moves: the ongoing tension between Egypt and Ethiopia around the Renaissance Dam

Ethiopia, on the other hand, claimed over the years that the dam would not harm Egypt and Sudan, and emphasized its contribution to economic development and its sovereign right to operate it. Although the gradual filling of the dam’s reservoir since 2020 has not significantly affected the flow of water to Egypt – partly due to heavy rains – Sudan has complained that Ethiopia has not shared real-time operating data, which it says has contributed to severe flooding.

After the failure of the rounds of negotiations two years ago, Egypt began to deepen its ties with Ethiopia’s neighbors, including Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya. Last year, Cairo began deploying troops and military advisers in Somalia, after the signing of a defense agreement between the countries, and it also intends to participate in a new African Union peacekeeping mission.

the regional arena

The Egyptian moves fit into a changing regional reality in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. At the end of last week, Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland – a step that political sources see as part of a broader struggle for influence, trade routes and security presence in the area near the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Bab al-Mandab.