Ethiopia has been claiming for its historic and universal rights to have access to the sea, particularly the Red Sea. Ethiopia used to own the ports of Massawa and Asseb before Eritrea won its independence. After that Ethiopia had to look for alternative ports for its exports and imports. It has been questing for its geopolitical rights to access sea outlets. This quest, however, fell on deaf ears both at global and regional levels.
Consequently, Ethiopia has confronted a series of challenges from alien powers. These global powers have the goal of destabilizing the country using local bandas and bandits. These criminal groups have been financed by external agents that are assigned by superpowers to detract the government from achieving its goal of economic development. Economic success is tantamount to meeting the objective of enhancing the living standards of Ethiopians. Achieving the objective of economic development of the country and its quest for access to the sea is seen by these alien forces as an obstacle to their interference in Ethiopia.
The history of Ethiopia is filled with foreign incursion in its domestic affairs. These interferences have occurred mainly on its borders along the Red Sea. Thus, a major part of its history would not be written without reference to the sea. Italy, as a colonialist power, had been able to occupy the above referred country along the sea using local saboteurs mentioned above. Immediately after the colonial power was forced out of the occupied territory of Eritrea, it had reintegrated to its motherland, Ethiopia.
History has revealed that after Eritrean independence in 1993, Ethiopia has lost control of its ports in the Red Sea. This has a damaging effect on its economy in which it is forced to pay for port services at exorbitant rate. This affected the values of imports and exports by including service charges in the product price. Ethiopian exporters and importers have to pay extra charges at sea ports.
Ethiopia had been dependent on the port services of neighboring countries in the north. The country is currently using the seaports of Djibouti and Berbera. These ports provide Ethiopia with access to international shipping routes. Services from both ports have come to costing millions of dollars a day for transit only. Experts estimated that this expense amounts to almost a fifth of the value of Ethiopian foreign trade. This causes imported inflation within the country, in particular import prices of machineries, fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs.
Similarly, other sectors of the economy such as manufacturing, services and related sectors are negatively affected by rising imported input prices. These prices, in turn, raise the cost of production of goods and services needed for consumption. The consumer price index has been on the rise since Ethiopia lost ownership of ports on the Red Sea upon independence of Eritrea. The newly independent country began to earn revenues that accrued from port services provided to Ethiopia. This service continued until the Ethiopia-Eritrea political relation turned sour leading to war between the two countries.
Experts and political analysts confidently assert that lack of access to seaports heavily constrains the ability of a country to promote its economic development. There is, therefore, a danger to the livelihood of the Ethiopian people when the country is deprived of direct access to the sea. The ability of economic sectors to cater for the large population of the country is extremely constrained.
Consequently, the capacity of Ethiopia to provide output, employment and income to its people is heavily impeded. In other words, the effort of the people and government of Ethiopia to promote economic growth and development is heavily affected. Adding fuel to the fire, the lack of ownership of seaports has seriously affected the economic development effort of Ethiopia. This affects the earnings of productive workers as product prices rise due to costs of port services. Ethiopia, like any landlocked country, is bound to incur heavy costs in the production of goods and services for both the local and global markets.
The cost of port services will have to be added to the commodity prices to cover expenses. These charges make it difficult for enterprises to compete at global markets. Import and export enterprises operating in landlocked countries such as Ethiopia face serious challenges from global competitors. Their competitiveness is also impeded by poor logistics. The efficiency of domestic transportation facilities, including railways, roads, storage facilities and checking points all contribute to the country’s benefit.
It is pointed out that shipping costs negatively affect the competition of Ethiopian exports at global markets. This depresses the capacity of the country to earn foreign exchange. Similarly, the high prices of imports, especially those required for domestic manufacturing of goods, may contribute to rising prices or inflation. Also, rising costs of goods in transit from port to mainland have negative effects on the economy. It is pointed out that high costs of port and transit services have negative impacts on the economic development of landlocked countries. They depress competitiveness in the domestic and global markets.
It is well known that the economic and political impacts of being a landlocked country are numerous. Economically speaking, it impedes equitable access to global markets as a result of which the welfare of people is eroded. With lack of access to the sea, the Ethiopians are bound to face “worsening” standard of living, poverty, unemployment and hunger.
Access to the sea is, therefore, not only an issue of trading with the rest of the world, but it is also one of the means of improving the welfare of the people. The political effects of being landlocked are also many, including the loss a historically dominant position in the Red Sea region. This has limited the geopolitical position of Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa.
These days, having an alternative sea outlet is critical for any developing country. Political scientists and legal experts have explained that Ethiopia has the legitimate right to reconnect with the rest of the world. This is a political measure to terminate its isolation from the Red Sea applying international principles, laws and rules through positive and peaceful approaches.
For concerned Ethiopians, having a sea outlet that provides their country direct access to the Red Sea and the rest of the world has become a serious political and economic issue. The PM of Ethiopia has recently noted that the Nile River and the Red Sea will determine the future of the country. These waters will definitely contribute either to its “development or demise.” There is no need to insist on the sea ports specifically, but only on an accessible gateway.
The PM also indicated that the Nile River and the Red Sea are intimately linked to Ethiopia either propelling it to its progress or to its demise. In a progressive outlook, there are many positive factors that may contribute to peaceful access to a sea outlet. These factors will contribute to economic development not only in Ethiopia but also to the countries in the region. The joint and cooperative engagement of all the countries of the Horn is beneficial and advantageous to all.
Lawyers suggest that taking advantage of some international laws and rules related to accessing the sea is useful for landlocked countries. These laws and rules are binding upon all states in the international community. In addition, they advise to refer to rules of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and others that are favorable to Ethiopia.
The ICJ, for example, determines that general or customary laws and rules are obligatory by their very goal. They have, therefore, equal force for all members of the international community, including Ethiopia and the Horn countries.
Also, the UN Convention on Access to and from the sea and Freedom of Transit Rights of Landlocked States under UN would favor Ethiopia to quest for access to the sea. The author of this article borrowed these ideas from authorities in the field, particularly the freedom of transit rights of landlocked countries. There is, therefore, bright hope for the impoverished people of Ethiopia to benefit from the endeavors of the government to have the legitimate quest for access to the Red Sea.
Ethiopia should be free to have access to the sea without any impediments. The gap between the living standards of people having sea outlets and those who do not have it is not based on productive work, but only on natural endowments of the sea. These people who enjoy having sea shores also have other benefits. One of these benefits is fishing at or near coastal areas. They also have the opportunity of being employed by enterprises engaged in the manufacturing of canned fish and other byproducts. These residents also benefit from tour operating enterprises that use big boats for enjoyment. As swimmers, they may have the chance of being employed as naval defense officers.
The shipping enterprises may engage some people residing by the ports for various operations. Due to several employment opportunities on the sea shores, residents of the Red Sea area may gain exposure to the rest of the world. Because of the various benefits of operating along the sea Ethiopia, as a landlocked country, has a legitimate quest for access to the seashores.
BY GETACHEW MINAS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2024
