PM Abiy Ahmed Says Ethiopia’s Economic Survival Depends on Red Sea Access

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday made clear that Ethiopia’s push for access to the sea remains central to his government’s vision for the country’s future, saying the nation’s landlocked position is a major brake on economic growth and regional stability.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, Abiy argued that the Horn of Africa cannot enjoy durable peace while Ethiopia remains cut off from the coast. He cast the absence of a sovereign port as a fundamental challenge for a country with one of Africa’s largest populations, saying it stands in the way of Ethiopia becoming a fully competitive and self-reliant player in the global economy.

The comments come as Addis Ababa continues to indicate interest in Eritrea’s Port of Assab, a historically important outlet that once served as Ethiopia’s principal trade route before the 1998-2000 border war. Abiy described the search for a maritime corridor as a question of national purpose, insisting that Ethiopia’s separation from major shipping lanes cannot be sustained indefinitely.

He acknowledged that his administration has poured resources into alternatives meant to ease the strain of geography, including upgraded rail lines and dry ports. Even so, Abiy said those investments cannot substitute for direct access to a managed maritime gateway. He stressed that the government wants the matter addressed through diplomacy and cooperation with neighboring states.

Abiy ended by portraying sea access as more than an economic issue, calling it a potential foundation for broader prosperity across the Horn of Africa. He urged the region to adopt a framework that would protect Ethiopia’s interests while also deepening ties among its neighbors.

AXADLETM