Eritrea’s Foreign Policy Moves and U.S. Diplomatic Efforts

On September 26, 2025, Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh participated in the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he held talks with Massad Fares Boulos, Senior Advisor to President Trump on African Affairs, to discuss strengthening U.S.–Eritrea relations and potential collaboration on regional peace and security initiatives.

Minister Osman highlighted Eritrea’s commitment to constructive dialogue grounded in respect for national sovereignty, emphasizing shared interests in the Horn of Africa, the Nile Basin, and the Red Sea. He also reaffirmed Eritrea’s dedication to sustainable regional development and welcomed prospects for closer collaboration with the United States.

Mr. Boulos underscored the U.S. interest in fostering dialogue and understanding in a region vital to international trade, security, and counterterrorism. He noted that this engagement could open a new chapter in U.S.–Eritrea relations, creating potential opportunities in trade, investment, infrastructure, communications, and security, while constructively addressing longstanding concerns. Both sides agreed to continue exchanges in the coming months to revitalize bilateral relations.

Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia have risen over Ethiopia’s push for “access to the sea,” which Eritrea rejects. The dispute over the Port of Assab has led both countries to prepare militarily amid fears of conflict. The Trump Administration has been working to ease tensions, with Massad Fares Boulos meeting Prime Minister Abiy in Addis Ababa last week to discuss regional security.

Yemane Meskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, shared on X that FM Osman met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss mutual interests. Osman rejected provocations framed as “access to the sea,” while Guterres praised Eritrea’s role in regional peace and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides highlighted their strong partnership and plans to strengthen cooperation.

FM Osman also met with ASG Joyce Msuya of UNOCHA to review ongoing collaboration, praising the partnership’s alignment with Eritrea’s development policies. Msuya reaffirmed UNOCHA’s support for key initiatives, including climate adaptation and resilience programs, despite budgetary constraints.

As Eritrea strengthens its ties with the United States, the question remains: how far can this renewed partnership take the country in promoting regional stability, expanding economic opportunities, and shaping its role on the international stage?

 

Sources:

Previous Post
Next Post

Share:

More Posts

Ethiopia’s Claims to the Red Sea

During a recent interview in September, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that the Red Sea belonged to Ethiopia 30 years and ago, and that it would be theirs again. Prime Minister Abiy goes on to imply that due to Ethiopia’s size and internal needs, full control of the sea must be retained. The underlying implications of these statements are particularly important as they falsify history and undermine Eritrea’s rights of ownership to its borders and ports.

Eritrea and the Architecture of Post-War Order

Recently, The Economist published an article called “Africa’s most secretive dictatorship faces an existential crisis.” In this article, the author, Economist correspondent Tom Gardner, pins any and all issues Eritrea faces on its leader, Isaias Afewerki, and his personal vendettas with Ethiopian leadership. The problem with this argument, however, is that it is selectively historical – it picks and chooses which historical events to include to frame Eritrea’s current predicament; Gardner fails to situate Eritrea’s position in the geopolitical milieu that have produced its diplomatic issues. Below, I outline the necessary historical information to truly understand the problems that plague the Horn of Africa and threaten national Eritrean sovereignty, specifically.

Africa Diaspora Day on the Hill

Policymakers, diplomats, and leaders from across the African continent and its diaspora gathered at the U.S. Capitol for the second annual Africa Diaspora Day on the Hill, a day-long forum aimed at strengthening ties between African communities and U.S. institutions. The event, held in the Congressional Auditorium, convened more than 150 participants for dialogue on investment, innovation, and the shared responsibility of advancing Africa’s future.

Eritrea’s Conscious Choice for Sovereignty and Self-Reliance Supersedes Consumer Internet Access

In a world heading towards an interconnected digital future, headlines often portray nations without a pervasive internet culture as “backward” or “isolated.” The recent narrative surrounding Eritrea, a country with limited and expensive internet access, is a prime example of this judgment. However, viewing Eritrea through this narrow lens is to miss the essence of its national philosophy, identity, and its efforts to build human connections.

Scroll to Top