Since lack of sea port has resulted in being incapable of fully assuming its rightful place in the African continent, Ethiopia’s quest for a seaport has to be taken into account and well recognized by particularly neighboring countries, which have been controlling existing ports, with a view to entertaining amicable regional cooperation and common growth. The government of Ethiopia has ever accentuated the need for a port as it is a matter of real cause, justified and legitimate pursuit for bringing about fairness and justice.
No question about it, Ethiopia’s expedition for a seaport is driven by its status as the most populous non-coastal country and its yearning for economic, social and even political independence. Ethiopia has periodically revived claims to a Red Sea port, citing historical rights, national development needs, and the necessity to enhance its international position.
Unequivocally, the lack of a nautical harbor can definitely be regarded as a hindrance to development, progress and ability to fully participate in regional and global affairs of Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s right to access direct maritime seaport is a legitimate call through legal frameworks so as to facilitate its overall economic development, indeed!
Ethiopia has commenced consultations to secure sea outlet based on the principle of mutual benefits and partnership that provide amicable opportunities to strengthen shared development taking advantage of its geographical, geopolitical, historical and lucrative socio-economic bases. Quest for coastal access to sea outlets is essentially considered as a legitimate right to Ethiopia with its sizable economy and population as well as the ever growing import-export trade.
Moreover, the country’s direct coastal access is anticipated to increase physical economic growth of the people in the Horn of Africa and beyond. Most definitely, the ongoing Ethiopia’s endeavor to secure seaport is extremely important to expedite regional economic growth and collaboration with neighboring countries.
There are pathways to achieve this goal through peaceful negotiations and international legal frameworks. As the country is all the time peace-loving and has been the best in running color blind diplomacy, it deserves access to the seaport like any other nation of course via employing lucrative international law and promote shared resources.
Yes, advocating for agreements that would potentially facilitate access to coastal waters needs to be well consolidated so long as it is he feasible means to bring about common growth. No doubt, Ethiopia’s potential to leverage its membership in the African Union (AU) and foster dialogue on various critical issues has born fruits.
It is time for any Ethiopian to work hard so as to get country’s voice, to ensure its rights and legitimate demands for access to sea, heard loud. Here, African nations are expected to promote regional collaboration in order to address their challenges, so is Ethiopia to meet its aspiration for maritime access.
The request for maritime access is justified by the international community and declared well acceptable, too. Yes, though access to the sea is an existential matter for Ethiopia, the nation would like all the time to employ amicable and peaceful way to resolve the issue with neighboring nations.
True, there is momentous prospective for collaboration and mutual benefit if Ethiopia can achieve a shared understanding. Certainly, the Red Sea issue has to be resolved through dialogue, common understanding and amicable way so as not to levy burden for generations to come.
In sum, Ethiopia’s ongoing quest for having access to seaport is legitimate, relevant and acceptable and even beyond as it is instrumental in helping the nation have ample opportunity to well employ the wealth it does have at hand and cement bilateral and multilateral ties with the African nation and beyond. Yes, its pursuit of peaceful access to the sea is gaining significant international recognition and it would be in a position to foster its economic, diplomatic and political progress.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 22 July 2025
