Ethiopia Reasserts Its “Legitimate Right” to Red Sea Access

In a significant statement, the Ethiopian Prime Minister has reaffirmed Addis Ababa’s persistent pursuit of access to the Red Sea, asserting it is a “legitimate right” for the nation. The government emphasizes, however, that it seeks to achieve this goal not through conflict or coercion, but through a framework that fosters cooperation and mutual development for the entire region.

Observers note that Ethiopia is methodically building a legal and historical case to substantiate what it describes as a necessity for direct port access.

A Persistent Historical Goal

Ethiopia’s quest for sea access is a long-standing national priority. Since becoming a landlocked country following Eritrea’s independence in 1993, it has relied heavily on the port of Djibouti, which handles the vast majority of its maritime trade. Successive Ethiopian governments have consistently expressed a desire to secure formal, direct maritime access, citing both economic needs and strategic imperatives.

The Somaliland Agreement and Regional Tensions

This issue gained renewed urgency in January 2024, when Ethiopia and Somaliland announced a controversial memorandum of understanding. The deal would have granted Ethiopia naval access in exchange for potential political recognition for Somaliland.

The agreement sparked a major diplomatic crisis, with the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu vehemently opposing it as an unlawful violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. International pressure and Somalia’s firm stance have since stalled the deal, though it has not been formally abandoned.

What the Latest Statement Means

The Prime Minister’s latest remarks signal that Ethiopia remains undeterred in its strategic objective. The language underscores a shift in diplomatic tactics, aiming to frame the demand as a legitimate and necessary driver for regional stability and shared prosperity, rather than a unilateral ambition.

Analysts interpret this as part of a continued effort to internationalize the issue and build a more robust, legally-grounded argument for its cause, keeping the matter a central focus of regional geopolitics.