Ethiopia's former premier defends Red Sea ambitions amid rising tensions with Eritrea
- Hailemariam Desalegn says Ethiopia's pursuit of maritime access is legitimate national aspiration that must be addressed through negotiations
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- Hailemariam Desalegn says Ethiopia's pursuit of maritime access is legitimate national aspiration that must be addressed through negotiations
By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn defended his country's pursuit of access to the Red Sea on Thursday as a legitimate national aspiration that should be resolved through peaceful negotiations with neighboring countries amid rising regional tensions.
"Access to a sea outlet should be viewed as a crucial catalyst for joint regional development," Hailemariam said in an interview with the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).
The former premier, who governed from 2012 to 2018, argued that the debate should focus on how Ethiopia can secure reliable maritime access through mutually beneficial agreements rather than questioning whether the country needs it.
He said Ethiopia's population of 130 million and its growing economy made access to international shipping routes an important priority.
Hailemariam described Ethiopia's loss of direct access to the sea as a historical grievance, arguing that the country's geographical position and longstanding regional ties should be considered in negotiations.
At the center of the dispute is Eritrea's strategic Red Sea port of Assab, which served as a major gateway for Ethiopian trade before the two countries fought a border war from 1998 to 2000.
Ethiopia lost the coastline when Eritrea gained independence in 1993 but continued using Assab until relations collapsed during the war.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly described maritime access as essential to Ethiopia's long-term economic development and national security, while maintaining that the issue should be resolved through dialogue.
Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia's territorial claims, calling them a threat to its sovereignty.
The two countries fought alongside each other during Ethiopia's 2020-2022 Tigray war, but relations have since deteriorated.
Hailemariam urged neighboring governments to consider the economic benefits of shared maritime infrastructure and regional trade, arguing that a negotiated settlement would promote cooperation and long-term stability.
He also argued that opposition to Ethiopia's maritime aspirations was partly driven by attempts to weaken its regional influence.
- Ethiopia-Eritrea tensions escalate
Tensions have escalated beyond the dispute about Red Sea access. Earlier this month, Ethiopia accused Eritrea of sending troops into its northern Tigray region and supporting armed groups fighting federal forces.
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos demanded the withdrawal of Eritrean troops in an Oct. 8 letter to the UN Security Council, warning that Addis Ababa had the right to defend its territory.
The ACLED conflict-monitoring group reported that Ethiopian military drones struck Eritrean forces near Adigrat on Oct. 7, prompting their withdrawal the following day.
Eritrea has rejected Ethiopia's accusations, describing them as a pretext for military aggression.
The confrontation comes as Ethiopia strengthens its military arsenal, with Abiy announcing Wednesday the delivery of 12 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets and plans to acquire four S-400 air defense systems, raising concerns about a wider war in the Horn of Africa.
Andrew Wasike