Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has renewed his government’s argument that Ethiopia’s loss of direct access to the Red Sea was primarily the result of domestic political divisions rather than external coercion, saying the country became “a geographic prisoner” because of its own internal weaknesses.
Wararka Soomaaliya
Addressing the opening of the National Dialogue Forum in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, Mr Abiy told more than 4,000 delegates that Ethiopia’s historical inability to manage internal differences had enabled outside actors to exploit divisions, ultimately undermining the country’s strategic interests, including access to the Red Sea.
“In this journey, through our own internal weakness and their opportunism, we lost our access to the Red Sea,” Mr Abiy said.
He added that Ethiopia had “administered, owned, and utilised” the Red Sea “for thousands of years”, arguing that the country’s current landlocked status resulted “not because there was an external force that could permanently block Ethiopia’s destiny and interests,” but because of domestic fragmentation.
Faahfaahinta
The remarks come as the ruling party continues to pursue what it has repeatedly described as a legitimate quest for secure sea access, an issue that has heightened tensions across the Horn of Africa since late 2023.
Ethiopia became landlocked in 1993 when Eritrea formally gained independence following a decades-long war. The country has since relied heavily on neighbouring Djibouti for access to international shipping routes.
Without naming specific countries, Mr Abiy accused foreign actors of exploiting Ethiopia’s internal conflicts to advance their own interests.
Saamaynta
“There are countries with an uninterrupted, centuries-old hostility that wake up and lie in wait at the slightest rustle,” he told the gathering.
The prime minister said such actors showed little interest when Ethiopia pursued development, but quickly appeared whenever Ethiopians fought among themselves.
“When we build, they are absent. When we built the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, they were not with us. And when our cities flourished, they were not with us,” Mr Abiy said. “But when we clash with one another, they suddenly appear, supplying ammunition, funds, and media propaganda.”
Wararka.so waxay kuu soo tebineysaa wararka ugu dambeeyey ee Soomaaliya iyo caalamka. Si aad ula socoto wararkii ugu dambeeyey, booqo boggayaga.
