Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed affirmed that securing a sea outlet is a matter of national survival for Ethiopia, not merely a political issue, stressing that “the absence of access to the Red Sea is weighing heavily on the national economy and requires an urgent solution”.
Ahmed’s remarks came during a series of meetings with community representatives and political parties addressing the country’s strategic issues, where he reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to act lawfully and peacefully to secure this right. He emphasized that Addis Ababa is a large nation with a significant population, adding, “Our neighbors need to understand that peace and development are key to our nation,” according to the Ethiopian News Agency.
He pointed out that “Ethiopia is working legally and peacefully to secure access to the seas”. Abiy Ahmed further explained that Ethiopia, as a populous country with ambitious development goals, seeks shared prosperity with its neighbors, emphasizing that “peace and development are essential for regional stability”.
He added that Ethiopia is confident the international community and neighboring countries will understand its legitimate quest for sea access, considering that “this step will be taken within legal and commercial frameworks and stems from a genuine aspiration for comprehensive development”.
In November 2024, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had reiterated Ethiopia’s need for Red Sea access through peaceful means, confirming that his country does not wish to enter into conflict with any state to achieve this goal. The Horn of Africa has been on alert since January 2024, when Ethiopia announced plans to build a naval base and commercial port in the region.
Ethiopia angered Mogadishu by signing a preliminary agreement with the breakaway Somaliland region to lease a coastal outlet in exchange for possible recognition of its independence from Somalia. This year, relations between Egypt and Somalia have grown closer due to their shared distrust of Ethiopia, prompting Cairo to send several planes loaded with weapons to Mogadishu after the two countries signed a joint security agreement in August. Egypt condemned the Somaliland deal and has long been at odds with Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which threatens Egypt’s share of Nile waters.
Last month, President Sisi stated that “Egypt supports Somalia not because of Ethiopia, but because Somalia has been unstable for more than 30 years.”
Sputnik / Al-Yara’a
