Browsing by Author "Haimanot Tsegaye"

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    The Red Sea Security Dynamics and Its Implication on Ethiopia’s National Security
    (Addis Ababa Unversity, 2024-06) Haimanot Tsegaye; Yohannes Tekalign (Ph.D.)
    The Red Sea has historically been central to Ethiopia's foreign policy and national security concerns and source of contention. This study examines the contemporary security dynamics of the Red Sea region and their impact on Ethiopia's economic and politico-military security. It aims to have deeper understanding of how the region's evolving security dynamics, along with Ethiopia's evolving approach to securing access to the sea, impact its national security. The study finds out that two major factors impact Ethiopia’s security: Securitization of the red sea and Ethiopia’s internal political dynamics. The complex security environment, including regional competition and Ethiopia's landlocked status, heightens risks. While access is strategically important, it creates new tensions. This study argues that Ethiopia's existing vulnerabilities and national security threats will be further amplified by the developments in the Red Sea region. In addition, the regional geopolitical dynamics will be affected by Ethiopia’s recent assertive measures including implications in shifting alliances and power dynamics in the region. The study is a qualitative research and employs the Copenhagen international security theory to understand the regional dynamics as well as Ethiopia’s policy direction. To gain deeper insights, analysis of historical documents and contemporary sources and key informant interviews were conducted with experts, former and current government officials, and military personnel. Non-probability sampling, specifically purposive and snowball sampling methods is used to identify interviewees. Data is analyzed thematically, guided by the research questions and the emerging themes from the collected data. The study recognizes Ethiopia's complex role within the Red Sea and emphasizes the need for strategic navigation in this dynamic environment. It also highlights the importance of internal stability in minimizing vulnerabilities and pursuing national interests. This thesis contributes to the existing scholarship by offering a critical analysis of how the evolving Red Sea geopolitical landscape shapes Ethiopia's national security. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities Ethiopia faces in securing its interests and maintaining its influence within the region