Egypt has signed agreements to develop seaports in Eritrea and Djibouti, aiming to enhance its strategic position in the Horn of Africa. The agreements will see Egypt upgrade the Asab port in Eritrea and Doraleh in Djibouti, both located near the Bab Al Mandeb strait. These upgrades will increase the ports’ capacity, create berths for warships, and allow Egypt to station small military contingents. The move is part of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to assert control over the Red Sea, especially as Ethiopia relies heavily on Doraleh for sea access.
The agreements, negotiated discreetly during visits by Eritrean and Djiboutian leaders to Cairo, will support Egypt’s military presence in these regions. The country plans to build infrastructure to fuel and resupply warships from its southern fleet, including destroyers and submarines. Additionally, the deal with Djibouti includes upgrades to the road network leading to Doraleh, further solidifying Egypt’s influence in the region.
This development comes amid rising tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Egypt views as a threat to its share of Nile water. While Egypt seeks to strengthen regional alliances, including with Somalia, the dispute with Ethiopia continues to escalate, focusing on the dam’s potential impact on Egypt’s water supply and regional maritime control.
