Ethiopia’s PM says Red Sea access is a national goal, vows to pursue it through strategy — not begging
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Staff Reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 04-10-2025, 08:44AM
JIGJIGA - Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed insists that his country must get access to the sea, adding that he will not achieve it through begging but through diligence, thoroughness and strategy within the rule of the law.
Ethiopia is fighting to have access to the Red Sea for the construction of its own port and establishment of the military base, a move that would significantly shape its economy which relies on neighbouring countries for survival.
During the inauguration of Ethiopia’s Calub natural gas project in the Somali region, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that the country will ensure its port ownership and achieve all its national ambitions through diligence, not begging, Addis Standard reports.
“As the saying goes, ‘seeing is believing.’ We have completed this project just as promised before Parliament reconvenes,” he said, urging citizens—particularly those he described as “kept in the dark”—to recognize Ethiopia’s progress. With confidence, he added, “No one can stop us.”
Abiy stressed Ethiopia’s determination to secure port ownership, safeguard peace, and achieve development through hard work and unity. Abiy Ahmed is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize of 2019 but for some time, he has been blamed for instability.
“All our desires will be fulfilled through the combined diligence of Ethiopians, not through begging,” he declared, noting that no nation would willingly give Ethiopia its due.
The Calub gas project, he said, symbolizes Ethiopia’s vision of self-reliance and a future built on collective effort. Initially, Ethiopia had signed an agreement with Somaliland for the access of the sea but the move was scuttled by Federal Republic of Somalia.
Somalia accused Ethiopia of grabbing its territory while blaming Addis Ababa of infringement of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The diplomatic fallout was mediated by Turkey which called for order and respect in the Horn of Africa.
GAROWE ONLINE
