Ethiopia's Prime Minister Advocates for Red Sea Access Amid Regional Tensions

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that his landlocked country must have access to the Red Sea, despite neighboring countries asserting that governance of the sea is the responsibility of the states along its shores. Abiy made this statement during his swearing-in for another five-year term on Monday. In a speech to Parliament, he emphasized the importance of securing a port on the Red Sea, describing access as critical to Ethiopia’s civilization. He stated, "Based on the principle of give and take, we will work diligently to ensure that Ethiopia has an outlet to the sea." Ethiopia lost direct access to the Red Sea in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence. Abiy’s remarks come amid deteriorating relations with neighboring countries, as Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan of supporting opposition forces in Tigray amid renewed fighting in the northern region. Eritrea has countered by accusing Ethiopia of seeking access to the sea through its territory. Additionally, a dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River has further strained relations with Egypt and Sudan, which depend on the river for water. Four of the five countries bordering the Red Sea—Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia—met on Sunday in Egypt’s New Alamein and called for cooperation on regional issues, asserting that governance of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of its coastal states and rejecting actions that could impact Egypt and Sudan’s use of Nile waters. The following day, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry stated that discussions regarding the Red Sea must consider the country’s "legitimate interests and enduring connection" to the waterway. Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who attended the Egypt summit, congratulated Abiy on his re-election and expressed a desire to strengthen Somalia-Ethiopia relations. He noted that Somalia does not object to Ethiopia gaining access to the Red Sea through Somali territory, but emphasized the need for official negotiations. Burundi’s president, Evariste Ndayishimiye, also extended wishes for Abiy’s success during his renewed mandate, and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, sent a congratulatory message.