Jerusalem, Israel – On January 13, 2026, Israel reaffirmed its commitment to Ethiopia as a “long-term strategic partner,” announcing efforts to further strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation following high-level talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Ethiopian State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hadera Abera Admassu.
The meeting took place in Israel, where Admassu arrived on a visit of unspecified duration. In a post on the social media platform X, Foreign Minister Sa’ar described the discussions as a “great meeting,” emphasizing Tel Aviv's intent to “further strengthen ties” with Addis Ababa. The two officials addressed “mutual challenges in our regions,” highlighting shared interests in stability, development, and geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and Horn of Africa.
This engagement builds on longstanding relations between the two nations, which date back to the mid-20th century. Ethiopia and Israel established consular ties in 1956, progressing to full diplomatic relations in 1961. Although ties were severed in 1973 amid regional shifts, they were restored in 1989, paving the way for robust collaboration in areas such as agriculture, water management, irrigation technology, health, and high-tech innovation. Recent years have seen intensified cooperation, including the first Ethiopia-Israel Business Forum in May 2025 during Sa’ar’s earlier visit to Addis Ababa, which focused on agritech, precision agriculture, and economic partnerships.
The latest talks underscore Israel's strategic outreach in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa, a region marked by complex disputes over borders, water resources, and maritime access. Ethiopia, landlocked since Eritrea's independence in 1993, has pursued diversified access to the sea, including negotiations for commercial and military outlets in the Red Sea. This ambition has fueled tensions with neighbors, notably Somalia over a controversial 2024 memorandum of understanding involving Somaliland's Berbera port, as well as with Eritrea.
A central flashpoint remains the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, Africa's largest hydroelectric project. Inaugurated in September 2025 after over a decade of construction, the GERD has the capacity to generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, significantly boosting Ethiopia's energy security and regional development. However, downstream countries Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly expressed concerns that unilateral filling and operation of the dam threaten their water supplies, agriculture, and economies—especially during droughts. Egypt has described the project as an “existential threat,” accusing Ethiopia of violating international water law by proceeding without a binding agreement on filling schedules and drought mitigation protocols.
Despite over a decade of trilateral negotiations mediated by various parties, including the United States and the African Union, no comprehensive legally binding deal has been reached. Ethiopia maintains that the GERD is essential for its development and that regulated operations minimize downstream impacts, while Egypt and Sudan demand guaranteed water flows and coordination mechanisms.
The timing of the Israel-Ethiopia meeting coincides with heightened regional dynamics, particularly following Israel's landmark recognition of Somaliland as an independent state on December 26, 2025—the first country to do so since the region's 1991 declaration of independence from Somalia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Sa’ar signed a joint declaration establishing full diplomatic relations, framing it as an extension of the Abraham Accords spirit. Somaliland, which has maintained de facto autonomy with stable governance, has expressed interest in broader international partnerships, including potential embassy openings in Israel.
This move drew sharp condemnation from Somalia, which views Somaliland as an integral part of its territory, as well as from the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, and others. The African Union and European Union also reaffirmed support for Somalia's territorial integrity. In early January 2026, Sa’ar made a historic official visit to Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, meeting President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and senior officials to discuss diplomacy, security, trade, investment, and regional stability. Discussions reportedly touched on potential cooperation, though Somaliland later clarified no agreement existed for hosting an Israeli military base or resettling Palestinians from Gaza.
Analysts view Israel's deepening ties with Ethiopia and Somaliland as part of a broader strategy to secure influence in the Horn of Africa, counter Iranian and Houthi threats in the Red Sea, safeguard maritime routes, and build alliances amid ongoing Middle East challenges. Ethiopia, facing its own disputes—including with Egypt over the GERD and with Somalia over sea access—sees value in partnerships with technologically advanced nations like Israel for agriculture, defense, and infrastructure support.
As both countries navigate these regional complexities, the reaffirmed strategic partnership signals potential for expanded collaboration in trade, technology, and security. However, it also risks exacerbating tensions in an already volatile region, where water rights, territorial integrity, and external influences continue to shape alliances and rivalries.
