The use of ports in Ethiopia plays a significant role in facilitating international trade and promoting economic development. It also enables Ethiopia to connect with global markets, attract foreign investment, and promote economic growth and development. Despite being a landlocked country, Ethiopia relies on several ports in neighboring countries to facilitate the trading of goods and commodities.
Ethiopia heavily depends on the ports of Djibouti due to its proximity and good diplomatic relationship. The Port of Djibouti, along with other facilities such as Doraleh Multipurpose Port and Doraleh Container Terminal, serve as major gateways for Ethiopian imports and exports. These ports handle a significant portion of Ethiopia’s international trade, particularly with countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
They offer various services including container handling, bulk cargo handling, and transshipment facilities. But as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said “A population of 150 million can’t live in a geographic prison” With Ethiopia’s population projected to be 150 million by 2030.
It’s hard to exaggerate the extent of Djibouti’s economic reliance on its considerably larger neighboring countries mainly Ethiopia. Djibouti faces an acute scarcity of fresh water, necessitating the importation of water from Ethiopia. Likewise, a significant portion of Djibouti’s electricity is sourced from Ethiopia. Given the arid desert terrain in Djibouti, agricultural production is limited, leading to a daily influx of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains transported across the Ethiopian border. As the world community built on give and take philosophy, Ethiopia must have an option to access port. “Declaring ‘I will take yours, but I won’t give you mine’ is not appropriate. Ethiopia, indeed, has every right to pursue access to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean,” Abiy asserted.
Abiy said that The Red Sea and the Nile are intimately linked to Ethiopia, serving as the pillars that could either propel the country’s progress or lead to its demise. “When we had access to the Red Sea, we were one of the great powers,” the prime minister remarked, emphasizing that “gaining access to the sea should not come at the cost of bloodshed and conflict.” In return, Abiy expressed his country’s interest in offering shares from the Great Renaissance Dam, Ethiopian Airlines, and Ethio-telecom. He stated, “When we propose sharing the benefits of the Renaissance Dam, it’s not merely an idea, we have calculated it. It yields substantial returns,” he said.
Although the GERD is nearing completion, it took Ethiopia more than 10 years to complete it. As Prime Minister Abiy said, if Ethiopia uses port charges for GERD, it will be able to build it every three years. At present, if Ethiopia gives 30% of the GERD Share and gets a sea gate, it can get 100% of the lost 30% of the GERD in three years. This will be the key to Ethiopia’s economy and the return of its power that left in history.
“We must address this today to prevent future generations from resorting to conflict. This can be achieved through discussions on investment options, shares, and leases. However, dismissing it entirely as a topic of conversation is a mistake,” he emphasized.
“We’re not insisting on Massawa or Assab specifically. What we seek is an accessible gateway. However it may materialize—be it through purchase, leasing, or any mutual arrangement—that’s our objective,” the prime minister stated.
In the process of getting port, Ethiopia would not chase its interest through war or any conflict as Abiy said “there are fears that Ethiopia may carry out an invasion after our recent strong demand for access to the sea, I want to assure that Ethiopia will not pursue its interests through war. We are committed to mutual interest through dialogue and negotiation,” Abiy added.
“If we plan to live together in peace, we have to find a way to mutually share from each other in a balanced manner, Ethiopia has never been defeated and will not be defeated in the future,” and he insisted that “the Ethiopian army does not aim to attack and invade others, but to defend the country. Ethiopia has never invaded any country and will not do so in the future,” he added.
BY SOLOMON GIRMAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2023
