Needless to state, seaports have long been an intrinsic part of international trade, and the vast majority of world’s traded goods being transported by sea. The ocean, without doubt, is one of the major transport arteries for global business. Considering the geopolitical factors involved, the issue of proper access to sea outlets in the sub-region/region is of great importance.
Ethiopia’s quest to a sea port is not a matter of interest but it is a matter of survival, everyone knows this fact. Peaceful access to the coast would depend on its relationships with its neighbors, of course.
Unequivocally, from a broader perspective, by providing connections between cities and other regions of the world, beyond goods and merchandise, ports also stimulated many other exchanges and interactions of ideas, customs, and knowledge. Port cities have all the time become meeting points for people of different origins, cultures, and traditions, promoting diversity and interaction between them. These exchanges have often contributed to the intellectual, artistic, and scientific growth of several cities, enriching their urban cultures.
Ethiopia’s move to have seaports has to be regarded as a historic motivation that will pave the way to realize the aspiration of the country to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to harbor.
The quest for seaport can also augment security, economic and political amalgamation, people to people ties thereby helping countries enjoy growing together. It is well recognized that Ethiopia lost its access to the coast following a brutal three-decade war that saw Eritrea secede from the country and declare independence in 1993.
In the ever-changing world with a population of over 120 million, it is difficult for Ethiopia to feed citizens let alone being competent with other nations of both the continent of Africa in particular and counterpart nations of other planets in general. This is really the right time for the country to confidently deal with the current predicament it is facing via securing seaport in whichever means centering a peaceful mode as the whole trek of the nation entertains solely peace and peaceful manner.
Either through establishing amicable ties with a tiny port nation of Djibouti on whom Ethiopia heavily relies or enjoying other lucrative alternatives, Ethiopia should have a seaport as it is not a matter of interest and tasting luxury, but it is a question of survival and feeding an ever rising population trajectory.
As history would have it and what is practically witnessed, a number of countries, which have originated from distances of hundreds and thousands of miles, do not rely on survival alone as they possess alternative territories and avenues like seaports and unconventional itinerary. For such countries, it is a matter of keeping their interests, not a matter of survival as opposed what is happening in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia, a landlocked country since Eritrea gained independence and took control of the Assab port, has faced significant challenges in accessing maritime trade routes. The point here is to address all the problems related to seaport, Ethiopia is forced to be relied on neighboring ports, recognizing the importance of robust economic engagement. However, the volatile nature of the Horn of Africa region has created uncertainties, necessitating Ethiopia’s pursuit of a sustainable outlet for global economic participation.
Yes, the fact that Ethiopia continues to raise the issue of sea access highlights the necessity of this requirement for the country’s ongoing economic development on a level-playing field. Because of losing direct access to the coastline since long back, Ethiopia’s plans to achieve middle-income status through export-oriented industrialization have been delayed.
Worse even, when Eritrea closed the ports of Assab and Massawa during the 1998 border war, Ethiopia lost access for nearly three decades. It briefly continued using duty-free Assab until 1997 before shifting to Djibouti. But delays in payments prompted port closure threats in 2013, highlighting Ethiopia’s overreliance.
The diversification of port accessibility is now thus being seriously considered in Ethiopia particularly after Djibouti temporarily refused to release cargo bound for Ethiopia in 2013 due to delays in payment transfers. No doubt, the importance of ensuring sea access in the sub-region to address economic problems and over-dependence has to be well embarked on. Recognizing the significance of neighboring countries’ ports and promoting a spirit of solidarity, Ethiopia aims to secure sustainable outlets for its economic progress.
It is quite important for Ethiopia not to place all its eggs in one basket by diversifying ports and pursuing broader economic integration amid regional tensions. For example, Ethiopia and Djibouti have had a longstanding bilateral tie since long back. The two countries share a close relationship due to their shared interests. Djibouti benefits from Ethiopia’s landlocked status as it serves as a major transit route for Ethiopian trade, contributing to Djibouti’s economy. In turn, Ethiopia relies on Djibouti’s ports and infrastructure for its international trade.
To further enhance connectivity and trade, the two countries have also developed the Ethio-Djibouti Railway, which connects the Ethiopian capital to the Port of Djibouti, providing a vital transport link for Ethiopia’s imports and exports.
Currently, plans are underway to give the Addis-Djibouti corridor an upgrade through the newly approved Horn of Africa Initiative’s Regional Economic Corridor Project. Besides the Port of Djibouti, Ethiopia has been actively exploring various options to diversify its access to the Red Sea. Discussions and plans have been underway to develop other ports in neighboring countries, such as Eritrea, Somaliland, and Kenya, in order to provide alternative trade routes for Ethiopia.
These efforts aim at minimizing the challenges faced by landlocked countries like Ethiopia. Without a shadow of doubt, trade between landlocked and coastal developing states is typically limited, as their economies do not complement each other and often compete for foreign resources in the international market.
Landlocked countries like Ethiopia bear economic burdens resulting from their lack of direct sea access, including dependency on transit states for transport policies, the need for warehousing stocks, port delays, and additional costs in itineraries. The country also faces limitations in accessing sea resources on equal terms with coastal states.
However, relying on foreign countries for port access is complicated by political uncertainties and external influences. While the planned diversification of port access aims to integrate Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti, all members of the Arab League, the political ramifications of such cooperation cannot be ignored.
In 2012, for example, Kenya and Ethiopia agreed to jointly develop the port at Lamu, but the project has faced financing challenges and is only 42% complete. Developing strong ties and fostering cooperation with neighboring countries for access to ports is crucial. Instead of adopting a winner-takes-all approach, a spirit of close neighborliness should prevail, where each country stands to gain from the agreements entered into. This approach is likely to bring stability to the economy and lower shipping costs for Ethiopian cargo.
Economies woes are influencing the uptick in port interest. Years of civil war and strife have left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced from their homes.
Unquestionably, Ethiopia needs a reliable seaport and a navy, a great deal of useful information on the necessity for Ethiopia to have access to a sea port to continue its progress towards industrializing its economy. It is imperative for all the nations in the Horn and East Africa to understand, it is in their self interest for Ethiopia, East Africa’s largest and fastest growing economy, to have access to a reliable port. No question about it prosperous Ethiopia benefits the African continent.
Ethiopia’s economic case for reliable and cost-effective seaport access is strong. In order to secure its economic future, the country must minimize or completely erase the economic costs associated with being landlocked.
If efforts are to continue and if Ethiopia is to attract both domestic and foreign investments into its manufacturing sector, the country must guarantee investors that they will be able to access global markets at reasonable prices.
Ethiopia’s access to the coast has occupied the minds of the country’s leaders since time immemorial. This is because being landlocked undermines Ethiopia’s ability to grow its economy, develop its military, navy force, and exert influence across the Horn of Africa.
There is no doubt that Ethiopia’s lack of direct access to the sea has constrained its ability to cater for its large population and hindered economic growth and development. Ethiopia has several options for peaceful access to the sea. All of them could have a positive economic impact not only in Ethiopia but across the region.
Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies on the continent. Economic development became central to fiscal and economic planning and projections, but notable obstacle to Ethiopia’s efforts to achieve middle-income status via export-oriented industrialization.
Needless to state, because of its history and geopolitical position, Ethiopia has the potential to be a force for either stability or instability in the region. Finding a peaceful way to improve coastal access would make it a nation for growth and stability. Yes, Ethiopia has no interest to fire a single bullet towards Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya or any other country in its neighborhood; nor does it have any question on the sovereignty of any country; instead it all the time would like to entertain seaport in a very peaceful and harmonious manner.
In a nutshell, factors impeding Ethiopia from securing a reliable port deal through peaceful means has to be well bolstered. The country needs to set up amicable ties with neighboring countries and strengthen the effort to secure port access that could have been easily negotiated and agreed upon giving Ethiopia long-term policy predictability. Surely, Ethiopia has been working hard to find means and ways to secure seaports with a view to fostering stable import-export routes.
Verdict out the use of force, the establishment of a free trade zone in one of the ports, where Ethiopia would be granted access and a joint venture between a neighboring country and Ethiopia to operate a port facility are the best alternatives at Ethiopia’s disposal. As the Horn’s most populous and largest economy, Ethiopia needs access to ports. Since Djibouti alone is not enough in the long-term, Ethiopia has to seek other ports to meet its desire. Yes, seaports are vital to economic activity in coastal areas, areas which are typically some of the most deprived.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2024
