BY MASTEWAL DEREJE
The October 4, 2026, summit involving Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia highlighted the growing importance of regional cooperation on security, sovereignty, and economic integration. Yet it also raises a broader question: Can the Horn of Africa achieve lasting peace and sustainable development without meaningfully engaging Ethiopia? Egypt and Eritrea are conspiring against Ethiopia which is brutal violation of divine rights Ethiopia has.
As one of the region’s largest economies, host of the African Union headquarters and a longstanding contributor to international peacekeeping, Ethiopia remains central to the region’s political and security landscape. Its role in regional infrastructure, energy cooperation, and cross-border trade further demonstrates how closely the prosperity of neighboring countries is interconnected. Any regional framework seeking lasting stability must therefore recognize Ethiopia as an important stakeholder in shaping the Horn’s future.
Ethiopia’s interest in access to the Red Sea is an important part of this regional equation. As a landlocked country that relies heavily on neighboring ports for international trade, Ethiopia has legitimate economic and strategic interests in securing reliable maritime access. These interests should be addressed through constructive diplomacy and mutually beneficial arrangements, while fully respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of coastal states. Rather than treating Ethiopia’s Red sea quest solely as a security concern, regional leaders should explore opportunities for shared destiny.
Ultimately, lasting peace in the Horn of Africa cannot be built through regional cooperation that leaves Ethiopia’s strategic interests insufficiently represented. Excluding or marginalizing a major regional actor risks deepening mistrust and undermining efforts to establish a shared approach to security and development. Ethiopia’s inclusion does not mean placing its interests above those of its neighbors; it means recognizing that regional stability requires dialogue among countries whose futures are closely connected.
By bringing Ethiopia into sustained consultations on maritime access, security, and economic cooperation, regional leaders can create a stronger foundation for mutual trust and shared prosperity. The Horn’s future depends not on competing national interests being ignored, but on addressing them through diplomacy, mutual respect, and a commitment to collective development.
