Eritrea’s Strategic Ports Elevate Its Role in Horn of Africa Power Struggle

Eritrea, ruled for decades by Isaias Afewerki, commands the strategic Red Sea ports of Assab and Massawa, positioning it at the centre of escalating geopolitical competition in the Horn of Africa. In July, Cairo-hosted consultations that included Egypt, Somalia and a senior U.S. envoy highlighted Eritrea’s role in coordinating security measures and facilitating trade across the Bab al-Mandeb, a choke point less than 30 kilometres wide opposite conflict-ridden Yemen.

Analysts stress that the country’s internal stability, despite its authoritarian record and low rankings on freedom indices, makes it an attractive partner for Gulf states and regional powers seeking reliable maritime routes. At the same time, Ethiopia’s longstanding demand for direct sea access and a May 2026 freight agreement with Egypt underscore the growing economic importance of Eritrea’s coastline. Nonetheless, the regime’s intolerance of dissent and the absence of a clear succession plan raise fears of future instability, while decades of repression have forced about one-fifth of the population to flee abroad.