Ethiopia: No one can stop us from accessing the sea

Addis Ababa (Caasimada Online) — The former speaker of the Ethiopian parliament Abadula Gemeda has stated that there is no one who can prevent Ethiopia from obtaining a route to the sea, as Addis Ababa continues to strengthen its campaign for a maritime route that it describes as a long-standing national interest.

Abadula, who gave an interview to the Ethiopian government news agency ENA, stated that the issue of the maritime route is not something Ethiopia can compromise on, arguing that just as the country lost its coastline, there is not enough national debate and legal process surrounding it.

“It is not possible for Ethiopia to be isolated from the sea,” said Abadula.

Ethiopia became a landlocked country when Eritrea gained its independence in 1993, and since then most of its foreign trade has passed through the ports of Djibouti.

Abadula argued that the decisions that led to that situation were made by a small number of people, questioning the legal authority of the transitional government that was in place at the time.

“There was no decision regarding the maritime route that was reached through debate or agreement in an official legal forum,” he said.

He stated that decisions he described as having a significant impact on Ethiopia's national interests were made at a time when the country did not yet have a complete constitutional system in place.

Accusations against Egypt

The former official also accused countries he referred to as Ethiopia's “historical enemies” of long attempting to prevent the country from accessing a maritime route.

He specifically mentioned Egypt, accusing it of supporting forces operating within Ethiopia, and having a role in supporting the Shabia movement in Eritrea and TPLF.

These accusations are the view of Abadula, and he did not present new evidence to substantiate them. They also come at a time when the relationship between Ethiopia and Egypt is deteriorating, with both countries at odds over issues including the Nile River and regional interests.

Abadula stated that when military attempts to weaken Ethiopia failed, he called on the enemies of the country to shift their support to groups operating internally.

He argued that these issues ultimately contributed to decisions that harmed Ethiopia's interests, including the loss of a direct route to the sea.

Pressure on maritime access

Abadula's remarks came days after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated that Ethiopia would continue its efforts to seek maritime access.

Abiy, who was sworn in on Tuesday for a new five-year term, told parliament that Addis Ababa would pursue the matter through a framework based on “mutual exchange” and negotiation.

“Based on the principle of mutual exchange, we will work hard to ensure that Ethiopia obtains maritime access,” said Abiy Ahmed.

The President of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, also stated on Tuesday that the government would continue to strengthen efforts to secure maritime access, linking the matter to the country's economic and strategic interests.

The Somali government has stated that it does not oppose Ethiopia obtaining a trade route to use Somalia's ports, but it has insisted that any agreement must come through formal negotiations between the two governments, while also respecting Somalia's sovereignty.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently stated that Mogadishu is ready to allow Ethiopia to use two or three Somali ports for importing or exporting goods, but Addis Ababa has not yet submitted an official request specifying the type of maritime route it desires.

The matter remains sensitive in the region, especially after Somalia, Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan emphasized at a meeting in New Alamein that the management and security issues of the Red Sea are the responsibility of the coastal countries.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded the next day, stating that any discussion regarding the Red Sea must consider what it referred to as the “geographical reality” and the “legal national interests” of Ethiopia.

Abadula supported the approach the Abiy government is currently taking on the issue, stating that a maritime route should seek peaceful dialogue, mutual interests, and agreements that benefit both sides.

However, his statement that “no one can prevent” Ethiopia from accessing a maritime route reinforces Addis Ababa's message that it does not view this matter solely as a temporary commercial need, but rather as a long-term national interest.