Author calls on Israel to develop African strategy for Red Sea — Jerusalem Post
Israel should develop a joint Red Sea security strategy with African states, according to Shmuel Legesse, an Israeli-American author of Ethiopian origin. In a column for The Jerusalem Post, he argues that focusing solely on intercepting Houthi missiles and deploying naval forces will not ensure long-term security of shipping.
The author noted that threats to the maritime route are not limited to the Houthis in Yemen. He pointed to Iran-backed forces near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, growing Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and Eritrea's militarized character. According to him, maritime authorities recorded two dozen attempted or completed cases of piracy and armed attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden area over three months this year.
Proposal for a regional partnership
Legesse proposes that Israel initiate a Red Sea partnership with Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, and other countries in the region willing to cooperate. In the author's view, the African Union, the United States, the European Union, and responsible Arab governments could also join its work.
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Such a partnership could coordinate the exchange of maritime intelligence, anti-piracy operations, port security, and emergency response, the columnist proposes. Other suggested measures include establishing a permanent regional secretariat, holding joint maritime exercises, creating a mechanism for prosecuting pirates, and setting up an infrastructure fund to connect inland economies with multiple ports.
Ethiopia's access to the sea
The author stressed that Ethiopia, which depends on Djibouti for access to maritime trade, needs reliable, diversified, and accessible sea access. At the same time, he noted that this need cannot justify an invasion of Eritrea or the erasure of internationally recognized borders. He called negotiations on port access and enforceable regional guarantees the solution.
Legesse also called for involving representatives of Afar and coastal communities in decision-making and investing in ports, railways, education, water supply, agriculture, and employment in coastal areas. Separately, he believes that Israel should make broader use of the experience of citizens of Ethiopian origin in diplomacy, national security, intelligence, and work with African countries.
