Ethiopia is hosting foreign delegations this week to mark the 90th anniversary of the establishment of its armed forces, an event that comes at a delicate moment for the Horn of Africa region.

While such anniversaries are usually commemorated at milestone years such as 50 or 100, regional analysts say the decision to mark the 90-year anniversary has drawn attention because of its political timing, as Ethiopia continues to pursue broader strategic interests, including discussions related to access to the Red Sea.