The country’s quest for a port on the Red Sea has greatly destabilized the Horn of Africa. In return, its neighbors are engaged in a dangerous military escalation. Abiy Ahmed usually takes advantage of speeches to his army to distill subtle messages for his rivals in the region. However, there was no need to read between the lines on Sunday, September 8, when he presided over a military tribute in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian prime minister reiterated that his country “won’t negotiate with anyone on Ethiopia’s sovereignty and dignity” and demanded “nationalist patriotism” from its population in order to resist the “foreign powers” he accuses of wanting to “destabilize the region.” It was a martial and threatening statement in line with the war of words being waged in the Horn of Africa. The region has been in turmoil since the announcement of the maritime agreement between Ethiopia and the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland, on January 1, 2024, which would give Addis Ababa direct access to the Red Sea. The treaty is stirring up tension because it tramples on Somalia’s sovereignty – Somaliland is not recognized as independent by the international community. In formalizing this agreement, did the Ethiopian head of state realize the extent of the regional upheaval it would provoke? Nine months later, a cold war began in the Horn. (Le Monde)