Ethiopia Renews Push For Red Sea Access After Abiy Begins Third Term

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has renewed his government’s push for access to the Red Sea after beginning a third term in office. He said Ethiopia was prepared to work on a “give and take” basis to secure an outlet to the sea. Ethiopia lost direct access to the Red Sea when Eritrea became independent in 1993. The government says it remains committed to dialogue and peaceful regional engagement while pursuing its national interests.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has renewed his call for access to the Red Sea, saying his government is prepared to work on a “give and take” basis to secure an outlet to the sea for the landlocked country.
Abiy made the remarks on Monday shortly after being sworn in for a third term as prime minister. He said access to the Red Sea was critical to Ethiopia’s civilisation and indicated that his government would continue working towards securing a port.
The renewed statement is likely to keep Ethiopia’s search for maritime access at the centre of discussions among countries in the Horn of Africa, where questions over ports, trade routes, sovereignty and regional security remain highly sensitive.

ETHIOPIA LOST DIRECT ACCESS TO THE RED SEA

Ethiopia became landlocked in 1993 when Eritrea, which had previously been part of Ethiopia, became independent.
The separation left Ethiopia without a coastline and forced the country to depend heavily on neighbouring states and international transport corridors to move goods through ports.
For a country with a large population and a major economy, access to reliable maritime routes is important for international trade, including the movement of imports and exports.
Ethiopia has therefore continued to explore ways of securing more dependable access to the sea, particularly as its economy and regional trade ambitions expand.

ABIY SAYS ETHIOPIA IS READY FOR “GIVE AND TAKE”

Speaking after taking the oath of office, Abiy said Ethiopia would work diligently to secure an outlet to the sea.
His use of the phrase “give and take” suggests that the government is presenting the issue as one that could be addressed through negotiation and mutually beneficial arrangements rather than unilateral action.
The Prime Minister said access to the Red Sea was critical to Ethiopia’s civilisation, making clear that his government considers maritime access a long term national interest.
However, any agreement would have to take into account the sovereignty and territorial rights of countries that already have coastlines along the Red Sea.

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES STRESS COASTAL SOVEREIGNTY

The issue has already attracted a regional response.
Neighbouring countries said at a summit on Sunday that responsibility for the Red Sea rests with the states along its shores.
The position underscores the sensitivity surrounding Ethiopia’s ambitions because the country itself does not have a coastline.
Countries bordering the Red Sea have their own ports, territorial waters and strategic interests, while the waterway is also one of the world's important international shipping routes.
This means any arrangement giving Ethiopia access to a port would require careful negotiations with the relevant coastal state.

ETHIOPIA SAYS IT WILL PURSUE DIALOGUE

Despite the competing interests, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the country remained committed to dialogue and peaceful regional engagement.
The ministry also stressed that Ethiopia would continue to defend its sovereignty and national interests.
The position indicates that Addis Ababa wants to pursue the issue through diplomatic engagement while maintaining its longstanding argument that reliable access to the sea is an important national concern.
For Ethiopia, such access could reduce some of the logistical challenges associated with being landlocked and potentially create new opportunities for trade and economic development.

WHY RED SEA ACCESS MATTERS TO ETHIOPIA

A direct or negotiated outlet to the Red Sea could have major economic significance for Ethiopia.
The country currently depends on transport corridors through neighbouring countries to reach international ports. Having access to a port closer to its territory could potentially improve the movement of goods, reduce logistical pressures and strengthen Ethiopia’s position in regional trade.
The Red Sea itself is also strategically important because it connects the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, making it a major route for international commerce.
For Ethiopia, therefore, the issue is not simply about having a coastline. It is also about securing dependable access to global markets and strengthening its economic links with the wider region.

REGIONAL DIPLOMACY WILL BE CRUCIAL

Ethiopia’s renewed push for Red Sea access comes at a time when the Horn of Africa remains politically and strategically sensitive.
Any agreement involving a port, territory or long term maritime arrangement would require trust between Ethiopia and its coastal neighbours.
The government’s emphasis on dialogue and peaceful engagement could therefore become an important part of its strategy as it seeks to advance the issue without increasing regional tensions.
Abiy’s comments show that access to the Red Sea remains a major priority for his government, while the response from neighbouring countries highlights the need for any future arrangement to respect existing sovereignty and regional agreements.