Eritrea Accuses UAE of Strategic Port Expansion in Horn of Africa

Eritrea has formally accused the United Arab Emirates of pursuing a strategy of "port-based colonialism" across the African continent. According to officials in Asmara, this diplomatic criticism centers on Abu Dhabi’s expanding influence over strategic maritime hubs in the Horn of Africa, with particular emphasis on operations in Somalia and the broader Gulf of Aden.

Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh stated that the UAE’s presence in regional ports extends beyond simple commercial interests. He argued that these moves carry strategic objectives that African governments must scrutinize closely, suggesting that the economic footprint of Gulf states is intertwined with broader geopolitical aims in a region defined by critical shipping lanes.

Commercial Footprints in Strategic Harbors

The controversy specifically highlights the role of DP World, a major UAE-owned logistics firm, in the region. The company operates the port of Berbera in Somaliland and has been involved in the development of Bosaso in Somalia’s Puntland region. These locations are situated near major maritime routes linking the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean, making them vital for regional trade and security.

Asmara noted that it had previously rejected attempts by DP World to establish a presence within Eritrea. Additionally, the government expressed opposition to reported plans for the UAE to establish a military facility on the Dahlak Islands, citing historical precedents where foreign military bases were used to support operations in Yemen.

Sovereignty Disputes in Somali Ports

Somalia has become a focal point of this debate due to its extensive coastline and strategic position along the Gulf of Aden. The UAE’s involvement in Somali ports is politically sensitive because of its ties with autonomous regions like Somaliland and Puntland. The federal government in Mogadishu has repeatedly objected to major port agreements being concluded without the involvement of the central state, raising questions about sovereignty and jurisdiction.

This tension underscores a broader question in Somalia regarding which authorities possess the power to negotiate major agreements involving the country’s maritime resources. As competition around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden intensifies, the legal and political frameworks governing port investments are becoming increasingly contested among regional and international actors.

Regional Competition and Geopolitical Tensions

Eritrea also criticized the UAE’s broader relations with neighboring states, including Ethiopia and Israel. The Eritrean government warned that foreign powers are expanding their influence in the Horn of Africa at a time of heightened political tensions and security challenges. This perspective frames the port disputes not merely as economic transactions but as part of a larger contest for regional dominance.

The dispute highlights growing competition over the Horn of Africa’s ports, where commercial investment, military interests, and geopolitical influence increasingly overlap. According to the GN auto geopolitics/africa: Horn of Africa desk, these developments suggest that the strategic landscape of the Red Sea corridor is being reshaped by overlapping agendas that complicate traditional diplomatic relationships in the region.

Observers will now watch how the UAE responds to these accusations and whether it seeks to clarify the nature of its commercial and strategic engagements in the Horn. The outcome may influence how other African nations approach foreign investment in their maritime infrastructure, potentially leading to stricter scrutiny of international port operations in the coming months.