Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa need to grant Ethiopia maritime access in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and regional cooperation, international relations, diplomacy, and security analyst, Edgar Githua (PhD) underscored.
Edgar Githua, who is also a lecturer of international relations and diplomacy at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya, provided an insightful analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of militarization in the Horn of Africa and the increasing number of sea ports in the region.
He pointed out that the Horn of Africa has become the most militarized area in the world as several countries including global powers established more than a dozen of military bases in the region.
According Githua, these foreign actors have their own economic, geopolitical, and security interests in the region.
“The establishment of foreign military bases in Horn of Africa is a double-edged sword,” he remarked.
On the one hand, the presence of foreign military forces can aid in combating organized crime, including terrorism and piracy, Githua said adding that however, on the other hand, militarization presents risks for countries in the region.
He warned that if global powers seek certain agreements with these nations and their demands are not met, these military bases could potentially be used to exert pressure or even instigate conflict.
Edgar Githua also examined the proliferation of sea ports from two perspectives. He emphasized that an increase in sea ports could be highly beneficial for African nations, as it would open up new trade routes and enable countries to expand their exports to Asian and European markets.
However, the involvement of foreign powers poses a challenge. If these global actors seek complete control over these ports, it could undermine the sovereignty and economic independence of regional nations.
Ethiopia, the world’s largest landlocked country and a member state of the Horn of Africa, lacks direct access to the sea.
Meanwhile, external powers have successfully secured ports in the region for both commercial and military purposes.
Edgar Githua advocated for neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa to grant Ethiopia maritime access in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and regional cooperation.
For More News And Analysis About Ethiopia Follow Africa-Press
