In a significant diplomatic move on Tuesday, Ethiopia extended an offer to its neighboring countries to participate in its dam project and acquire shares in its national airline. This initiative is aimed at addressing the maritime challenges that the country is currently facing.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made this proposal during a parliamentary address, where he underscored the importance of a mutually beneficial approach in negotiations for sea access. He stated, “Ethiopia has no intention of engaging in any unlawful activities or conflicts with neighboring countries. Our focus is on discussing this matter within the framework of law and business.”
Despite witnessing substantial growth in its population and economy, Ethiopia is confronted with the challenge of not having a direct sea route. This has led the government to seek innovative solutions to address this strategic concern.
Abiy emphasized, “We have no intention of infringing upon the sovereignty of any nation. Our objective is to secure rules-based access to the Red Sea. We are initiating discussions towards finding sustainable solutions.”
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards Djibouti for its crucial role in supporting Ethiopia’s growth and development by allowing the use of its port facilities over the years.
Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea ports in the early 1990s, following the Eritrean War of Independence that spanned from 1961 to 1991. The war culminated in Eritrea gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1991, resulting in the formation of two separate nations. This separation led to Ethiopia losing its direct access to the Red Sea and key ports, thereby becoming landlocked and impacting its ability to conduct efficient maritime trade.
News ID : 2615