https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231115/ethiopia-offers-neighbors-to-join-dam-project-airline-shares-in-swap-for-seaport-access-1063555419.html
Ethiopia Offers Neighbors to Join Dam Project, Airline Shares in Swap for Seaport Access
Ethiopia Offers Neighbors to Join Dam Project, Airline Shares in Swap for Seaport Access
Sputnik Africa
Ethiopia has been landlocked since 1993, when Eritrea seceded from the country after three decades of war for independence. As a result of the separation... 15.11.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-11-15T11:16+0100
2023-11-15T11:16+0100
2023-11-15T11:48+0100
sub-saharan africa
ethiopia
east africa
abiy ahmed
eritrea
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djibouti
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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, speaking in parliament, offered neighboring countries a participation in a major dam project and a stake in the national airline in exchange for the country's access to the sea.Commenting on the GERD, the leader emphasized that Ethiopia built the great dam to generate electricity and send the water "to our brothers" throughout the year so that it would also benefit Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.He stressed that Ethiopia does not question the sovereignty of neighboring countries and is not interested in a violent scenario of access to the Red Sea, suggesting that the maritime affairs should be resolved in the field of business.The Prime Minister noted that the need to connect Ethiopia to the sea is driven by population growth, which is estimated to reach 150 million by 2030.Ahmed reportedly explained that the economic context does not match the population and economic growth and, in fact, will shrink without maritime trade.Similarly, in a telecast with members of the country's parliament in October, Ahmed described access to the Red Sea "an existential issue". However, then neighbors Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia refused to participate in discussions on granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, citing their sovereignty and territorial integrity.Ethiopia lost direct access to the sea in 1993 when Eritrea became independent. Ethiopia's main trade route now follows roads linking the capital, Addis Ababa, to the port of Djibouti. Ethiopia also shares borders with Sudan and Kenya, both of which have access to the sea.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231016/ethiopia-is-entitled-to-peacefully-claim-sea-access-countrys-pm-says-1062830361.html
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Ethiopia Offers Neighbors to Join Dam Project, Airline Shares in Swap for Seaport Access
11:16 15.11.2023 (Updated: 11:48 15.11.2023) Ethiopia has been landlocked since 1993, when Eritrea seceded from the country after three decades of war for independence. As a result of the separation, Ethiopia lost direct access to the Red Sea and key ports.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, speaking in parliament, offered neighboring countries a participation in a major dam project and a stake in the national airline in exchange for the country's access to the sea.
"Ethiopia has the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam [GERD] and the largest Airlines in Africa. So we can share these great national treasures with countries willing to share their ports with us," he said, as quoted by local media.
Commenting on the GERD, the leader emphasized that Ethiopia built the great dam to generate electricity and send the water "to our brothers" throughout the year so that it would also benefit Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.
He stressed that Ethiopia does not question the sovereignty of neighboring countries and is not interested in a
violent scenario of access to the Red Sea, suggesting that the maritime affairs should be resolved in the field of business.
"We have no intention of threatening the sovereignty of any nation but we would like a rules based access to the Red Sea. Our request is to initiate discussions towards sustainable solutions," Ahmed stressed.
The Prime Minister noted that the need to connect Ethiopia to the sea is driven by population growth, which is estimated to reach 150 million by 2030.
Ahmed reportedly explained that the
economic context does not match the population and economic growth and, in fact, will shrink without maritime trade.
"With a growing economy and population, lack of access to the sea would remain a major problem for us," he said.
Similarly, in a telecast with members of the country's parliament in October, Ahmed described access to the Red Sea "an existential issue". However, then neighbors Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia refused to participate in discussions on granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, citing their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ethiopia lost direct access to the sea in 1993 when Eritrea became independent. Ethiopia's main trade route now follows roads linking the capital, Addis Ababa, to the port of Djibouti. Ethiopia also shares borders with Sudan and Kenya, both of which have access to the sea.
