PM Abiy Ahmed Links Ethiopia’s Economic Survival to Red Sea Access

Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of Ethiopia - File Photo

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s strategic ambition to secure a maritime gateway, asserting that Ethiopia’s status as a landlocked nation remains the primary obstacle to its economic growth and long-term regional stability.

In a comprehensive interview with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, Abiy stated that the Horn of Africa cannot achieve lasting peace as long as Ethiopia is denied direct access to the sea. He characterized the lack of a sovereign port as an existential hurdle for a country with one of the largest populations on the continent, arguing that it prevents the nation from becoming a fully self-sufficient global competitor.

The prime minister’s remarks come as Addis Ababa continues to signal its interest in the Port of Assab in neighboring Eritrea, a site that historically served as Ethiopia’s main trade conduit before the 1998-2000 border war. Abiy described the pursuit of a maritime corridor as a matter of national destiny, suggesting that Ethiopia’s continued detachment from international shipping lanes is unsustainable.

While noting that Ethiopia has invested heavily in infrastructure such as modernized railways and dry ports to mitigate its geographic isolation, Abiy maintained that these measures do not replace the need for a managed maritime outlet. He emphasized that his administration seeks to resolve the issue through diplomatic dialogue and mutual understanding with neighboring countries.

Abiy concluded the interview by framing the quest for sea access as a potential driver for shared prosperity across the Horn of Africa, calling for a regional framework that would allow Ethiopia to secure its economic interests while fostering deeper integration with its neighbors.

GAROWE ONLINE