File Photo/Somali Times
The Eritrean government has reveals the United Arab Emirates of pursuing what it describes as “port colonialism” in Africa, questioning the motives behind Abu Dhabi’s investments and expanding presence at ports along the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and East Africa.
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Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh stated in an exclusive interview with *Middle East Eye* that the UAE’s presence at numerous regional ports goes beyond mere commercial interests.
“The UAE has port facilities in many parts of the region, and African nations need to ask themselves why,” Saleh said. “Is it solely about economics? No.”
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Two major Emirati port operators—DP World and AD Ports Group—have investments in or manage ports across several African countries, including Egypt, Tanzania, and Somalia.
DP World manages the port of Berbera in Somaliland a region of Somalia and holds significant influence over the port of Bosaso in Puntland.
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Earlier this year, Puntland rejected the Somali federal government’s decision to sever ties with the UAE, highlighting the rift between Mogadishu and the regional state regarding their relationship with Abu Dhabi. While African nations have welcomed Emirati investment, Abu Dhabi’s attempts to secure stakes in or management of the region’s strategic ports have not always been straightforward.
In 2018, Djibouti terminated DP World’s contract for the Doraleh port, while the Sudanese government scrapped a 2022 deal under which AD Ports Group was set to build a $6 billion port on the Red Sea coast.
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The conflict in Sudan is also entangled in the rivalry between regional powers. The UAE stands accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—which are fighting Sudanese government troops—though Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied these allegations.
Eritrea rejects a presence
Eritrea possesses a long coastline along the Red Sea, making it a key location for regional security and trade strategies.
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In 2016, the UAE established a military base at the port of Assab in southern Eritrea, using it to support military operations conducted by the Saudi-Emirati coalition in Yemen.
However, relations between Asmara and Abu Dhabi subsequently deteriorated. A senior Eritrean official told Middle East Eye that Eritrea rejected a request from the UAE to establish a military base on one of the Dahlak Islands—a facility that the UAE and Israel reportedly intended to use jointly.
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That request was reportedly made around 2016, several years before the Abraham Accords established formal relations between Israel and the UAE.
“We didn’t want DP World inside Eritrea,” said Saleh. “We do not want a foreign power to establish a major, permanent base in Eritrea.”
These remarks highlight Asmara’s concern that port investments could evolve into a military presence or long-term political influence.
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Ethiopia and Somaliland
Eritrea and the UAE also hold differing views on several regional issues.
Asmara has recently hosted Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan twice within a two-month period, whereas the UAE is accused of supporting the RSF.
Meanwhile, relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have reverted to a state of tension following the two countries’ cooperation during the Tigray war (2020–2022).
In recent years, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has frequently spoken about his country’s need for sea access—statements that Eritrea views as a threat to its sovereignty and borders. Ethiopia has also become a close ally of the UAE, with Addis Ababa utilizing drones and other weaponry sourced from Abu Dhabi.
Eritrean officials now believe that the UAE and Israel are expanding their cooperation with Ethiopia and across the Horn of Africa.
“The UAE and Israel have already converged in Somaliland,” Saleh said, referring to Israel’s strengthening ties with the Somaliland administration.
Somaliland officials have previously expressed interest in an Israeli security or military presence in the region, as Somaliland seeks international recognition.
Saleh also criticized Ethiopia’s ambitions regarding the Red Sea, stating that Abiy Ahmed has a strategy aimed at securing maritime access for Ethiopia.
Eritrea’s concerns regarding Israel
Israel and Eritrea established diplomatic relations after Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.
However, relations between the two countries have cooled in recent years.
“We must ask ourselves why Israel is rushing to exert influence in the Horn of Africa. Why does it want a base in Somaliland?” Saleh said.
He stated that Eritrea does not view Israel as an enemy but has decided against having close relations at this time.
“We decided that we do not want their embassy here. We harbor no hostility toward Israel, but we have decided not to maintain relations,” he said.
At that time, the relationship between the two sides was close. President Isaias…