German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s trip to East Africa took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when her government plane was forced to make an unplanned stopover in Saudi Arabia. The reason? A missing overflight permit for Eritrea.
Baerbock was en route to Djibouti, the first leg of her three-day East African tour focused on the ongoing conflict in Sudan. However, her aircraft lacked the necessary authorization to traverse Eritrean airspace. This detour reflects the wider instability plaguing the region, as ongoing armed conflicts in both Sudan and Yemen rendered them unsuitable flyover routes.
In a statement, Baerbock acknowledged the inconvenience but emphasized the underlying geopolitical context. “This unplanned stop serves as a reminder of the overall challenges in the region,” she noted.
Despite the delay, Baerbock remained committed to her mission. In Djibouti, she plans to convey a crucial message: Germany and the European Union are actively exploring ways to safeguard Red Sea shipping lanes from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia.
“Our focus is on protecting vessels operating in the region,” she clarified. “This potential European defensive mission, if approved, would not constitute offensive action against Yemen.”
This isn’t the first time technical hurdles have disrupted Baerbock’s travel plans. Last August, her week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region was abruptly canceled due to persistent mechanical problems with her government plane.
Despite these recent setbacks, Baerbock’s determination to engage with East African nations remains undeterred. Her visit to Djibouti, Kenya, and South Sudan underscores Germany’s commitment to fostering dialogue and stability in a region grappling with numerous complex challenges.
