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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has dismissed concerns that his country might resort to war with neighboring Eritrea to gain access to the sea, emphasizing that the issue should be resolved through diplomacy and mutual benefit.
His comments to parliament on Thursday come amid fresh tensions between the two nations, which have a history of conflict.
Diplomatic Approach to Sea Access
Abiy reiterated that Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked nation, seeks to negotiate rather than fight for maritime access.
“Our intention is to negotiate based on the principle of give and take. What the Eritrean people need is development, not conflict. Our plan is not to fight but to work together and grow together,” he said.
However, he maintained that discussing seaport access should not be considered taboo, arguing that global norms recognize the importance of maritime access for large nations.
In 2023, Abiy described acquiring a seaport as an “existential issue”, raising concerns that Ethiopia might attempt to seize one by force. His latest remarks appear aimed at easing those fears.
Tensions Rising Over Tigray
Meanwhile, there are growing concerns that the war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region could resume, potentially drawing in Eritrea. The two-year civil war, which ended in November 2022 and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, remains fragile as divisions emerge among Tigrayan leaders.
Tigray’s Interim President Getachew Reda has accused political rivals of colluding with Eritrea, which previously supported Ethiopia’s federal government during the war.
“We have reason to believe external actors are involved,” Getachew said last Thursday, suggesting Eritrea is exploiting instability in Tigray for its own interests.
Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh rejected the allegations, telling diplomats in Asmara on Tuesday that his country “categorically rejects” any involvement in Ethiopia’s internal disputes.
However, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timotewos indicated last week that Addis Ababa suspects one Tigrayan faction has ties to Eritrea, though he did not provide specifics.
Historical Context
Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in the 1990s, costing Ethiopia direct access to the sea. The two countries fought a brutal border war from 1998 to 2000. Relations improved in 2018 after Abiy took office, but much of that progress has since unraveled.
With tensions rising once again, diplomatic efforts will be crucial in preventing a return to conflict.
