Addis Ababa, October 23, 2026 (FMC) — Ambassador Redwan Huseen, Director General of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service, has called for urgent collective action by regional states and reliable international partners to safeguard Red Sea security amid growing militarization, foreign-power rivalries and renewed attacks on commercial shipping.
Speaking at the opening of the Tana Forum’s Special Envoys’ Dialogue in Bahir Dar, Redwan warned that mounting security pressures threaten the Horn of Africa’s considerable economic potential and the vital maritime trade routes that connect the region to global commerce.
He underscored that the security of the Red Sea cannot be guaranteed by a handful of states acting alone, stressing the need for coordinated regional efforts backed by dependable international cooperation.
Redwan also highlighted Ethiopia’s direct stake in maritime security, noting that the country depends entirely on the Red Sea for its maritime trade.
He said Ethiopia has a vital responsibility to protect its commercial shipping and prevent emerging threats from undermining its national interests.
The dialogue brought together senior diplomats and regional leaders to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa and the growing security challenges surrounding the Red Sea.
High-level discussions are taking place under the theme “Regional Security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.”
The panel, moderated by Paul-Simon Handy, Regional Director for East Africa and Representative to the African Union, featured Getachew Reda, Minister Advisor on East African Affairs; Guang Cong, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa; Frédéric Clavier, France’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa; Ambassador Heiko Nitzschke, Germany’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa; and Pekka Haavisto, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan.
The dialogue is part of the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, held under the theme “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation.”
The forum convenes African and international stakeholders to examine the continent’s changing security environment and the challenges and opportunities shaping peace, stability and economic sovereignty.