Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock faced another unexpected turn in her travel plans on Wednesday as her plane was denied permission to fly over Eritrea en route to Djibouti. Forced to make an unplanned stopover in Saudi Arabia, Baerbock expressed the need for flexibility in such situations, attributing the denial of clearance to ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Yemen, which complicated the flight plan. The issue of government plane troubles has long plagued Berlin, with instances regularly making headlines during Angela Merkel's tenure.

Just last year, Baerbock had to cancel a trip to the Indo-Pacific region due to mechanical issues with her plane, while earlier this year, she was stranded in Qatar because of a flat tire on the government aircraft. Despite the setback, Baerbock remains determined to carry out her scheduled visits, including discussing the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the situation in the Red Sea in Djibouti, as well as the European Union's plan to protect civilian shipping from Houthi attacks. Additionally, she plans to travel to Kenya and South Sudan for further diplomatic talks.

Baerbock emphasized that in crisis regions, normal travel plans may face disruptions due to armed conflicts, and stressed the importance of the EU's protection mission as a defensive measure for ships in the Red Sea. While acknowledging the challenges, Baerbock remains committed to her diplomatic efforts and plans to proceed to Djibouti on Thursday to continue her mission. The episode serves as a reminder of the complexities and obstacles that diplomats can face, particularly in conflict-ridden regions. Despite the setbacks, Baerbock's determination and commitment to her diplomatic duties remain unwavering.