Russia pledges naval support to landlocked Ethiopia
Russia has assured Ethiopia, a country lacking access to the sea, of its commitment to helping establish a navy. This was discussed during a visit by a Russian delegation to Ethiopian naval bases in Bishoftu, located 28 miles south of the capital, Addis Ababa.
- Russia proposed supporting Ethiopia in building its naval forces, even though the country is landlocked.
- The visit of the Russian delegation to Bishoftu, 28 miles from Addis Ababa, provided an opportunity to discuss the details of this cooperation.
- Ethiopia has previously attempted to rebuild its naval forces, with assistance from countries including France.
An absurd cooperation
During the visit of the Russian delegation to Bishoftu, Russia confirmed its commitment to assisting Ethiopia in creating a naval force. The delegation was led by Admiral Vladimir Vorobyov, the deputy commander of the Russian navy. "The Kremlin has committed to helping the African country in training personnel and building capacity," said Commander Jamal Tufisa, deputy commander of Ethiopian naval operations.
Ethiopia, despite lacking access to the sea, is striving to rebuild its navy that existed until 1993, when Eritrea gained independence. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, since taking office in 2018, has been endeavoring to restore the country’s naval forces. To achieve this, Ethiopia has partnered with France and is now expanding its list of partners to include Russia.
Russia seeks allies
Russia, in search of new locations for its bases relocated from Syria, among other places, sees a potential partner in Ethiopia. After losing the port of Tartus in Syria, the Kremlin is intensifying efforts to establish a permanent base in the Indian Ocean. "There are no obstacles to constructing a Russian base in Port Sudan," said Ali Youssef Ahmed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sudanese Armed Forces. However, the ongoing civil war in Sudan might delay these plans, prompting Russia to seek alternatives.
