Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has said that nations in the Horn of Africa bear the primary responsibility for safeguarding the security of the Red Sea, warning against what he termed as growing foreign interference in regional affairs.
In an exclusive 20-minute interview with Egyptian media, President Afwerki addressed long-standing tensions in the Red Sea region and the broader security challenges facing countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
“Somalia has a coastline stretching over 3,300 kilometers , one of the longest in Africa. This strategic location has made the country vulnerable to instability,” Afwerki said. “Somalia’s problems are not merely domestic; they are both regional and international in nature.”
He drew parallels with South Sudan, noting that ethnic divisions and prolonged civil conflict had devastated the young nation.
Afwerki emphasized that countries along the Red Sea coast must take the lead in securing the vital maritime corridor. “The region does not need foreign powers,” he asserted. “It is the duty of the coastal states themselves to protect their waters and strategic sea routes.”
He described the security of the Red Sea as a shared historic responsibility among all littoral states, urging collective action over dependence on external forces.
Analysts say Afwerki’s remarks reflect Eritrea’s long-standing position opposing international military involvement in the Red Sea and advocating for regional-led solutions to maritime and security challenges.
The Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, has recently seen heightened geopolitical interest from global powers, raising concerns among Horn of Africa nations about sovereignty and regional stability.
