Ethiopian Prime Minister Issues Warning to Somalia, Egypt, Eritrea Over Red Sea Access

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has vowed to “correct a historic mistake” that left Ethiopia landlocked after Eritrea’s independence, calling the situation a threat to national survival. His remarks are expected to heighten tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly with Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea.

In a nationally televised interview on Sept. 1, Abiy said losing direct access to the Red Sea three decades ago is a wrong that must be righted. “The mistake made 30 years ago will be corrected tomorrow,” he said. “The Red Sea was in Ethiopia’s hands 30 years ago. That was yesterday’s mistake. It will be corrected. It’s not a complicated issue.”

Abiy cited Ethiopia’s growing population and economic ambitions as reasons for seeking maritime access. “We’ve been silent for decades, but remaining a landlocked country is unacceptable,” he said. “This is not about pride — it’s about our nation’s survival.”

The comments follow similar statements from Ethiopia’s Military Diplomatic Chief, Gen. Teshome Gemechu, who described Eritrea’s Assab port as a “national objective.” Eritrea strongly condemned the rhetoric, calling it a threat to its sovereignty and “a poisonous territorial agenda.”

Abiy’s comments come amid rising regional tensions. Egypt recently deployed troops to Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which Ethiopia views with deep suspicion, given its ongoing Nile water dispute with Cairo and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project.

Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, warned last week that Egypt’s troop presence could create “political and strategic challenges” to the 4,000 Ethiopian soldiers already operating in Somalia. Egypt dismissed the claims, stating that its forces were officially invited and endorsed by the African Union Peace and Security Council.

Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Nur, welcomed Egypt’s support, stating this month that Somalia will no longer wait for external approval to engage with other countries. “Somalia has moved beyond the stage of waiting for permission; now we decide who we work with,” he said.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, reiterated in July that Cairo’s support for Somalia is rooted in protecting the country’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity, emphasizing long-term investment in ATMIS to counter al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE