Diplomatic dynamics in the Horn of Africa are shifting as Egypt and Saudi Arabia bolster engagement with Eritrea against a backdrop of expanding ties between the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.

Cairo has actively cultivated strategic rapport with Asmara, including high-level visits and coordination on regional security matters, part of a broader picture of cooperation among Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia against perceived Ethiopian influence.

A series of summits and meetings over the past year have underscored deepening political and security consultation between Cairo and the Eritrean leadership, reinforcing longstanding diplomatic ties and addressing shared concerns about regional stability.

Meanwhile, Riyadh has also been stepping up its outreach, with senior Saudi and Eritrean officials meeting to discuss bilateral cooperation and the role of Saudi Arabia in promoting peace and development across the Horn and wider Red Sea arena, reflecting Riyadh’s broader efforts to increase its presence and influence beyond the Arabian Peninsula.

This realignment occurs as the UAE continues to expand its economic footprint in Ethiopia and the region more broadly, supporting infrastructure and agricultural ventures and securing access to trade routes that bolster its strategic position.

The UAE’s deepening engagement with Addis Ababa has dovetailed with Ethiopia’s pursuit of diversified international partnerships, including economic cooperation and access to Red Sea ports — a long-standing strategic objective for the landlocked nation.

These developments are unfolding amid complex regional contestation over access to maritime routes, water resources and geopolitical influence, with external power projections from Gulf states intersecting with Horn state security and diplomatic priorities.

Stakeholders view these evolving ties as part of a broader realignment in which local and external actors seek to shape the strategic balance in one of Africa’s most contested geopolitical environments.