AMN PLUS-October 27, 2026
The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), in a statement shared on its official social media platforms, has underscored the strategic importance of cooperation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where Ethiopian ships and seafarers maintain significant maritime activities.
Captain Matthew, representing the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, said effective maritime security requires countries, agencies, and institutions to work together, exchange information, make joint decisions, and provide the necessary resources to coastal regions.
He noted that cooperation among the relevant stakeholders is essential to strengthening maritime security and ensuring effective responses to challenges in the region.
Captain Matthew added that the ongoing forum in Addis Ababa, which brings together countries from the subregion, provides an opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen collective capacity, and contribute more effectively to international maritime security efforts.
He said the forum would allow participants to share experiences, knowledge, and perspectives.
Meanwhile, Captain Getinet Abay, an expert representing the Western Indian Ocean region under a European Union-funded search and rescue project, emphasized the importance of cooperation, noting that Ethiopia’s landlocked status does not prevent it from using the sea until it regains access to its ports.
He said maritime incidents affect all parties with interests in the sea, making collective action essential.
Captain Getinet explained that the workshop primarily aims to strengthen the capacity of organizations involved in maritime search and rescue operations through joint discussions, assessments of available equipment and resources, and the provision of necessary tools to improve operational efficiency.
He further stressed that the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are important to Ethiopia because of the significant number of Ethiopian ships, seafarers, cargo shipments, and other national interests in the areas.
He underscored the need to work collectively to ensure their safety, adding that establishing relations and building trust with countries in the region, as well as organizing workshops of this kind, are highly beneficial.
By Leta Teresa
