The Red Sea has been a flashpoint of hostilities disrupting global commerce as state and non-state actors pit against each other in a proxy war. The strategic place has been the eye of the storm hosting the military bases of dozens of nations including heavyweight nations. Caught in direct and proxy wars, now the actors have been vying to control the area which is a significant lifeline of global trade. The growing confrontation and hostility pose a security threat to regional countries sending a solid signal to countries like Ethiopia that seats kms away from the sea albeit with no outlet.
The growing uncertainty hovering over the region mounts pressure on Ethiopia to look for alternative sea outlets and diversify port access. The increasing conflict in the region has already impacted international trade forcing operators to use long routes costing dearly and delaying shipments. This in turn affected economies as the world struggled to ensure a safe import and export process.
The security crisis in the Red Sea has delayed global maritime transport and impacted the East African economy. Simultaneously, the presence of foreign military forces along the Red Sea coastlines adjacent to East African countries is growing. This raises concerns about long-term peace in the region, especially since Ethiopia has lacked a sea outlet since 1991, reported the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported.
There is also a bad omen that the region is tattering into a more dynamic security situation. The looming threat appears to be more serious and harsh on landlocked nations like Ethiopia. Taking the fluid situation in the region into consideration, Ethiopia has been boldly pushing for securing a sea outlet and alternative port access through negotiations and bilateral cooperation.
The country has openly asked neighboring nations to consider its proposal but Somaliland responded positively with the nations entering an agreement thus after.
“If Ethiopia regains a sea outlet, the Red Sea region would be relatively more peaceful because of Ethiopia’s role in regional stabilization,” said Mulugeta Debebe (PhD), a Political Science lecturer at Ethiopian Civil Service University.
“Countries opposing Ethiopia’s aspirations should reconsider the potential for cooperation. With a population of 120 million, Ethiopia’s lack of access to the sea could lead to internal crises that would adversely affect neighboring countries,” he warned.
“The intervention of foreign forces with self-serving interests is preventing the region from recovering from conflicts. Ethiopia’s request for a sea outlet has a logical basis. The region needs not only to accommodate Ethiopia’s interest but also to form a union to combat insecurity.”
In his last adders to lawmakers, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said “We made our intention clear and asked our coastal neighbors to give us access and it was Somaliland that agreed to our terms, this does not mean Ethiopia is trying to harm the interests of Somalia. We could not have sent our troops to pacify Somalia had we been looking to destabilize Somalia,” said Abiy. Regarding the quest for access to the sea, he added, “We are a great country and good partners. We always aspire to keep our relations on a win-win base.”
True to the Premier’s word, Ethiopia has been spearheading regional integration and the sea access deal is the hallmark of its efforts. In contradiction to naysayers and opponents of the accord, the deal will open a new era of cooperation. Collaboration and cooperation are the way forward to meet the growing socioeconomic needs. It is particularly a must in the Horn region where infrastructure is scarce and supporting the Ethio-Somaliland deal is a great impetus.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2024
