Being populated with over 130 million inhabitants, Ethiopia’s quest for access to sea is equaled by nothing as meeting the interests of all could be a tough concern without it. Yes, a seaport is crucial for continental and/or global trade rendering as a gateway for transnational commerce, enabling countries to access supply chains thereby boosting economic development.
Ethiopia has all the time desired to engage in dialogue and discussion regarding access to a sea port as it has long been a viable means to foster regional, continental and even international market as well as socio-economic headway.
The very important point that needs to be taken into account in this regard is Ethiopia’s pursuit of peaceful access to the sea is gaining significant international recognition since the country’s request for maritime access is justified by the international community following it being a vast landlocked country.
The government of Ethiopia is really working to hold constructive dialogue regarding the Red Sea and the Abbay River cognizant of the fact that conducting close talks and advocating for the principle of give and take approach to shared resources like seaports would make both sides benefited experiencing a mutual bounty.
Needless to state, the seaport for which Ethiopia has been aspiring since long back so as to access international trade markets needs to be made through the spirit of cooperation, not with sense of confrontation.
No doubt, discussing the relationship between countries and their ports is also discussing their history, formation, and development over time as these aspects can play a fundamental role in the growth of trade, economy, and inevitably urban life, making cities vital and strategic centers of cultural, commercial, and social exchange. Ethiopia’s pursuit of peaceful access to the sea is gaining significant international recognition for the country is carrying out activities in tune with regional stability and calmness.
Ethiopia has aimed at peacefully securing seaport and resolving all the issues tied to it although access to the sea is an existential matter for Ethiopia, indeed!
Yes, Ethiopia’s peaceful quest for access to sea gained worldwide recognition as its desire for accessing to the red sea will not drag the country in confrontation, be it with Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, you name it. Instead, there is significant potential for collaboration and mutual benefit if the countries can achieve a shared understanding and communal run-through.
All the nations, with reference to those which are highly concerned, have to capitalize on resolving the Red Sea issue through dialogue, consultation and close talks so as not to leave an unbearable burden and grudge for generations to come.
That is why Ethiopia has incessantly sung a peaceful song with a view to finding a peaceful resolution through negotiation, dialogue and alliance in all aspects. This could definitely be regarded as an incomparable path to arrive at an endearing destination via an inspiring trajectory. When the quest for sea port comes to thickly populated nations like ours, it has become a matter of life and death—an existential matter, of course.
In general, access to sea port is of paramount importance in minifying commercial dependence on the consent of others. Ethiopia’s neighbors need to show willingness and good faith so as to able to accommodate Ethiopia’s legitimate needs. Ethiopia thus needs to engage in mutually beneficial dialogue with all its neighbors, who in turn must realize that accommodating Ethiopia’s legitimate needs is in the best interests of theirs.
Since a sea port has had an adequate geographical location, preferably close to important commercial routes, Ethiopia’s quest for it is quest legitimate and fair to feed the aforesaid number of population. The Red Sea, which has been serving as departure and arrival point for vessels transporting goods such as manufactured products, precious metals, among others, has to provide Ethiopia with a sacred bounty and the benefit it deserves.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 25 MARCH
