The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Egypt of orchestrating a series of provocative maneuvers aimed at creating an “encirclement” around Ethiopia. Government officials assert that Cairo’s heightened diplomatic and military activities in the Horn of Africa are deliberate attempts to stir up regional instability and pressure Addis Ababa.
Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, detailed these concerns during a press briefing. He stated that Egypt’s recent conduct in the region mirrors a siege mentality, characterized by rising hostility and overt provocations. According to Ambassador Nebiat, these aggressive strategies consistently intensify whenever Ethiopia explicitly advances its strategic national interests.
The ministry emphasized that Egypt’s current geopolitical tactics are neither new nor unexpected. Officials described them as remnants of a long-standing historical strategy designed to stifle Ethiopia’s regional influence. However, Addis Ababa maintains that these ongoing external pressures only validate its current foreign policy trajectory and national security priorities.
In response to the perceived encirclement, the spokesperson affirmed that Ethiopia will vigorously pursue its critical agenda to secure reliable access to a sea outlet. The government views the current geopolitical friction as a primary justification for diversifying its maritime options. Leadership clarified that obtaining a seaport remains an existential necessity that the country will not abandon under external duress.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, the ministry reiterated that Ethiopia remains firmly committed to achieving its maritime ambitions through peaceful, legal, and diplomatic channels. Asserting that its policies have already garnered support from various international partners, Addis Ababa stressed that dialogue, rather than military posturing, will guide its engagements in the volatile Horn of Africa region.