By ALULA FREZGHI
The Horn of Africa stands at a crossroads. Sudan’s war, now spiraling into one of the most devastating conflicts in the region’s modern history, is not sustained by internal grievances alone. It is fueled quite literally by the steady flow of weapons, mercenaries, and external agendas that cross its borders by land, sea, and air. As Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki recently underscored, peace will remain elusive until these supply lines are severed.
President Isayas warning is clear: symbolic initiatives and hollow declarations cannot substitute for decisive action. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), armed with advanced weaponry and bolstered by foreign fighters, have unleashed atrocities against civilians killing, looting, rape, and the systematic destruction of Sudan’s social fabric. To speak of peace while these pipelines remain open is to speak in contradictions.
At the heart of Afwerki’s vision lies a call to Saudi Arabia. With its global political and economic weight, Riyadh is uniquely positioned to recalibrate the balance of power in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. By reclaiming its natural leadership role, Saudi Arabia could convene a regional summit that brings together Horn countries to chart a path forward free from external dictates and interference. Such a summit would not only address Sudan’s crisis but also reinforce collective responsibility for safeguarding one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
Yet the path to peace requires more than one nation’s leadership. A new commitment is emerging: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan, aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) can form a stabilizing alliance capable of dramatically changing the trajectory of the conflict. With the constructive support of the United States and peace‑loving European countries, this alliance could cut off the RSF’s external lifelines and consolidate a framework for regional stability. The recent plan by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sissi to visit Washington underscores this momentum, signaling Cairo’s intent to anchor the alliance within a broader international partnership.
The stakes extend beyond Sudan. Arms transfers through Libya, divisive projects in Yemen, and normalization agendas pushed during Sudan’s fragile transitional phase all contribute to instability. These interventions fracture states, prolong wars, and open the door to external influence at the expense of regional sovereignty.
The strategic approach to peace in East Africa must therefore rest on four pillars:
- Cutting Supply Lines: Halt the flow of weapons and mercenaries into Sudan. Without this, peace is impossible.
- Regional Ownership: Empower Horn of Africa states to manage their crises collectively, resisting external dictates.
- Alliance Commitment: Strengthen the partnership of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan with SAF, backed by the U.S. and Europe.
- Saudi Leadership: Encourage Riyadh to assume its rightful role as convener and stabilizer, leveraging its influence to restore balance in the Red Sea and Horn.
The path to peace is not easy, but it is clear. Ending Sudan’s war begins with cutting off the RSF’s external lifelines. Stability in East Africa begins with regional unity and alliance. And the future of the Red Sea corridor depends on international responsibility matched with local will.
The time for symbolic gestures has passed. What is needed now is decisive strategy, one that severs the pipelines of war and builds the foundations of peace.
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