Egypt Denies Granting Ethiopia Access to the Red Sea Amidst the Renaissance Dam Crisis
In a new development that highlights the sensitivity of balances in the Horn of Africa, Egypt has categorically denied reports about its readiness to grant Ethiopia a maritime outlet to the Red Sea in exchange for flexibility on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue.
* Firm Egyptian Denial
An Egyptian source confirmed yesterday, Tuesday, that what has been circulated regarding this matter is "completely untrue" and has no basis.
The source emphasized that Cairo's position on the water security and the Ethiopian dam issue is firm and unchanged, based on:
• Adherence to international law
• Rejection of unilateral actions
• Not harming Egypt's water share
• Preserving the full rights of the downstream countries
The source clarified that the security and governance of the Red Sea are exclusively the concern of the coastal states, as it is a strategic passage directly linked to the national security of these countries, and it is not permissible to involve non-coastal parties in any arrangements concerning it.
Cairo also reiterated its rejection of any attempts to undermine the sovereignty of the Red Sea coastal states or to interfere in the management of this vital maritime corridor, asserting that any unilateral practices or external interventions will be addressed according to international law.
* Background: Long-standing Ethiopian Ambitions
Ethiopia has been seeking a maritime outlet for years, especially since it once had a long coastline and two ports, Assab and Massawa, when Eritrea was part of it.
However, after Eritrea's independence in 1993, Ethiopia became a landlocked country.
Currently, Addis Ababa relies almost entirely on the port of Djibouti to secure over 95% of its foreign trade, which costs it about $1.5 billion annually in fees.
* Somaliland Agreement Sparks Tension
In January 2024, Ethiopia surprised the region by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Somaliland region, granting it the right to lease 20 kilometers of coastline for 50 years to establish a military base and a commercial port in Berbera.
In return, Ethiopia pledged to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to officially take this step.
This move sparked a storm of rejection in the Horn of Africa; Mogadishu considered the agreement "aggression" and a violation of its sovereignty, while Cairo and Asmara view Ethiopia's maritime ambitions with great concern, considering them a threat to security balance in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
* The Red Sea ... A Red Line
The Egyptian message was clear: the Red Sea is a sovereign matter for the coastal states, and any arrangements concerning it must remain within this exclusive framework.
In light of the complexities surrounding the Renaissance Dam issue and the intertwining regional interests, it seems that Cairo is sticking to its principles, rejecting any trade-offs that affect its water security or strategic position.
