Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed once again highlighted Ethiopia's ambition to gain direct access to the sea, sparking debates and heightening tensions in the Horn of Africa.
As Ethiopia remains landlocked following Eritrea's independence in 1993, Abiy Ahmed has underscored that maritime access is essential to his country’s future.
“Ethiopia deserves sea access according to any law,” Abiy Ahmed told lawmakers in Addis Ababa, as cited by media. “We are confident that our children and grandchildren will eventually realize this goal.”
Abiy Ahmed’s remarks come against the backdrop of his January proposal to establish a naval base in Somaliland, the autonomous northern region of Somalia that seeks international recognition as a sovereign state. As part of the agreement, Ethiopia would consider supporting Somaliland's bid for statehood.
This plan, however, has strained Ethiopia’s relations with Somalia, which regards Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory. Somalia has voiced strong opposition to Ethiopia's move.
Amid these tensions, Egypt has bolstered its alliance with Somalia, sending multiple shipments of military aid to Mogadishu earlier this year.
Despite the escalating situation, Abiy Ahmed clarified that Ethiopia does not intend to use military force to reclaim sea access but stands ready to defend itself if necessary.
“We do not seek war, nor do we want to achieve this forcefully,” he said. “There are concerns that certain countries could invade Ethiopia, but no country is capable of undermining us. We have sufficient capacity to defend ourselves.”
Ethiopia currently relies on neighboring Djibouti for access to the sea, making Djibouti the conduit for most of Ethiopia’s imports and exports. Recognizing Ethiopia’s position, Djibouti has extended an offer to grant Ethiopia exclusive use of one of its ports in hopes of de-escalating the regional tensions.
Somaliland, strategically located on the Gulf of Aden, represents another viable option for Ethiopia as it seeks to reestablish a direct maritime route—a necessity that Abiy Ahmed warned last year could eventually become a source of conflict if left unaddressed.
As regional tensions rise, Ethiopia's pursuit of sea access illustrates the complex geopolitical and economic dynamics at play in the Horn of Africa, bringing long-standing national ambitions and international alliances into sharper focus.