ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 4, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 4, 2025

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• French Forces to Leave Cote d'Ivoire in 2025
• EU Energy Price Surge After Russian Pipeline Halted
• Ethiopia Defense Minister Visits Somalia

French Forces to Leave Cote D'Ivoire in 2025

French troops will leave Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in 2025, with the main military base retroceded during the month of January, announced President Alassane Ouattara in his end-of-the-year speech. This is part of a broader trend among former French colonies in Africa, which have ejected French troops as a symbol of a new relationship between the countries and the former metropole. Ouattara announced the move as a means of modernizing the military of Cote d’Ivoire; however, in some countries, the lack of exposure to the professional French military has led to a reduction in the capacity to secure the country. This is particularly apparent in the Alliance of Sahel States (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger), where Russian mercenaries have not proved equal to the task of confronting insurgencies.

EU Energy Price Surge After Russian Pipeline Halted

European natural gas prices rose four percent to EUR 51 (approx. USD 54) per megawatt-hour, its highest level since October 2023, after the Druzhba pipeline moving Russian gas into Europe was halted. Recent cold weather has also caused a sharp drawdown in gas supplies, contributing to the price spike.

Ethiopia Defense Minister Visits Somalia

Ethiopia has sent officials for the first time in a year to Somalia shortly after the countries made a deal to resume negotiations, which will mediate tensions caused by a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somali and Ethiopian officials confirmed the arrival of Ethiopia's defense minister but did not disclose the nature of the visit. The controversial deal prompted heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, as the deal would allow Ethiopia to use a stretch of coastline in exchange for recognizing Somaliland as a country independent from Somalia. Somali officials had accused Ethiopia of violating the country's territorial sovereignty. However, Turkey mediated an agreement in early December 2024 to resume negotiations between the countries by February 2025. The visit is likely a move to aid in improving relations.