- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pledges to pursue port access through dialogue as Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia assert coastal states’ authority
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reaffirmed his country’s determination to secure access to the Red Sea, describing maritime connectivity as a strategic necessity for the landlocked nation despite growing concerns among neighboring states over the potential for heightened regional tensions.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in for a third term on Monday, Abiy said Ethiopia would pursue access to the sea through dialogue and the principle of mutual benefit.
“Based on the principle of give and take, we will work diligently to ensure that Ethiopia has an outlet to the sea,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maritime access to Ethiopia’s history, development and national interests.
Ethiopia Seeks Peaceful Maritime Access
Ethiopia lost its direct access to the Red Sea in 1993 following Eritrea’s independence. Since then, the country has relied heavily on neighboring ports for its international trade.
Abiy’s renewed emphasis on maritime access comes amid increasingly complex relations between Ethiopia and several countries in the Horn of Africa and the wider Nile basin.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that geographic realities should be taken into account in discussions concerning both the Nile and the Red Sea. It noted that the Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia and that the country is geographically close to the Red Sea.
The government stressed that Ethiopia remains committed to dialogue, peaceful regional engagement and cooperation while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests.
Red Sea Coastal States Reject External Claims
The issue has drawn strong reactions from countries bordering the Red Sea.
On Sunday, Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia met in New Alamein, Egypt, where they called for greater regional cooperation and emphasized that responsibility for the governance and security of the Red Sea rests with its coastal states.
The four countries also rejected actions that could affect Egypt and Sudan’s access to Nile waters, underscoring the interconnected nature of the region’s maritime and water-security concerns.
Tensions With Eritrea and Nile Dispute
Ethiopia’s relations with Eritrea have deteriorated in recent months, with both countries exchanging accusations over security and maritime ambitions.
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups and seeking regional backing, while Eritrea has accused Addis Ababa of pursuing access to the sea through Eritrean territory.
At the same time, Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile remains a major source of tension with Egypt and Sudan, both of which depend heavily on the river’s waters.
Tigray Conflict Adds to Regional Concerns
The latest diplomatic tensions come as Ethiopia also faces renewed instability in the northern Tigray region, where federal forces and fighters linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front have again clashed.
The renewed violence follows a devastating two-year conflict that ended in 2022 and resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Researchers at Ghent University have estimated that around 500,000 civilians died as a result of violence, famine and the collapse of health services during the conflict.
Eritrean forces fought alongside Ethiopian troops during the Tigray war, but relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have subsequently deteriorated.
UN and African Union Urge Restraint
The latest developments have prompted concern from the international community, with the United Nations and African Union urging the countries involved to resolve outstanding disputes through dialogue and peaceful diplomatic engagement.
Ethiopia, for its part, maintains that its pursuit of maritime access is driven by legitimate economic and strategic interests and has reiterated its preference for negotiated arrangements that respect the sovereignty of all states.
The issue is likely to remain a major geopolitical question in the Horn of Africa, where Red Sea security, Nile water resources and regional stability are increasingly interconnected.
BY: The Times Union
