New Alamein:Since the emergence of its modern state, Egypt has frequently engaged in actions aimed at subjugating Ethiopia and exerting control over its resources and future. Successive Egyptian governments have been involved in numerous efforts to obstruct Ethiopia's development, but these attempts have consistently failed against Ethiopia's sovereignty and history.
Accourding to Ethiopian News Agency, Egyptian ambitions were evident as early as the 1870s, when the regime launched military campaigns against Ethiopia, resulting in significant defeats at the Battles of Gundet and Gura. These losses underscored Ethiopia's strength, leading Egypt to shift its tactics toward political and proxy engagements.
After World War II, Egypt opposed the return of Eritrea to Ethiopia, but the international community established a federation between them in 1952. Egypt then supported separatist movements, notably hosting and financing the Eritrean Liberation Front from the 1960s onward. This support extended to media efforts aimed at destabilizing Ethiopia.
Egyptian influence also manifested in international financial organizations, where figures like Boutros Boutros-Ghali allegedly used diplomacy to block Ethiopia's access to loans for infrastructure projects, particularly on the Nile River.
Recent developments show Egypt's continued efforts to counter Ethiopia. A summit in New Alamein, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, included Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea, raising concerns about strategic alignments against Ethiopia. The focus was on Nile waters and regional security, sparking fears of increased regional pressure on Ethiopia.
Despite these challenges, Ethiopia remains committed to its development goals and regional influence. It has taken decisive actions, such as closing its embassy in Asmara and expelling Eritrean and Egyptian diplomats, in response to perceived threats to national security.
Ethiopia's resilience and determination to pursue its sovereign interests are evident in its ongoing development projects, which continue to affirm its position in Africa despite external pressures.
