Middle East Developments: 2Africa Red Sea Bypass Via Northeast Africa
Apparently the Saudi Arabian regulator is refusing to allow local carriers to sell dark fiber to the subsea cable consortiums that desire to bypass the Red Sea. This is a big blow. Buying lit Layer 1 transport across Saudi Arabia is an economic no go for intercontinental cables. I guess I should not be surprised given Saudi women are still under the guardianship of their nearest male relatives, but it is still disappointing. 😡 Middle Eastern governments love to project themselves as progressive forces, but they often fail to implement decisive reforms. Old ways die hard. Several reliable sources tell me that the 2Africa consortium is considering terrestrial Northeast routes to the 2Africa Sudan CLS. There are other routing options as well. Houthi occupation of key Red Sea islands this past week simply reinforces the need to bypass the Red Sea. Get it done, gentlemen.