Ethiopia Welcome to Use Neighboring ports Under Commercial agreements
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim that he seeks only “dialogue” on sea access is blatantly disingenuous. He has repeatedly raised this issue with regional leaders, and their responses have been clear and consistent:
- Ethiopia is welcome to use neighboring ports under commercial agreements, fostering regional cooperation and shared prosperity.
- No country will cede its sovereign territory to Ethiopia.
- No nation will support any reckless attempt to redraw the map of the Horn of Africa.
Yet, Abiy continues to press the same demand, despite firm and unequivocal answers. At this point, his insistence appears more like deliberate provocation than genuine diplomacy.
The Real Issue: A Failing Economy and Internal Instability
Ethiopia’s problem is not a lack of sea access—it is a struggling economy, internal instability, and a leadership that thrives on manufactured crises rather than real solutions. Abiy Ahmed is recklessly gambling with the peace and stability of the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia’s future, when no such gamble is necessary.
His latest posturing in parliament—calling for sea-access talks while declaring that Ethiopia will not go to war with Eritrea—is yet another case of expedient rhetoric and grandstanding for the media. But few believe him, and it is evident that he is running out of options.
Questions Abiy Must Answer
Instead of blindly entertaining his claims, the media and international politicians he seeks to persuade should ask him:
- What exactly is he trying to negotiate regarding sea access with neighboring countries?
- Why did he not attempt negotiations when he had better relations with them?
- Why is he lobbying foreign leaders who have no mandate over the sovereignty of other nations?
Ethiopia’s Dubious Justifications for Land Grabs
Abiy and his supporters employ deceptive arguments to justify territorial claims. Some of their most outlandish rationales include:
- Ethiopia’s population is growing exponentially.
- Ethiopia’s economy is booming.
- Ethnic groups straddle Ethiopia’s borders, sharing history and cultural ties.
- Ethiopia used to occupy Eritrea under Haile Selassie and Mengistu, and therefore, it deserves ‘looters’ rights.’
- Ethiopia’s dietary demand for fish is increasing.
These arguments are nothing more than thinly veiled attempts to undermine the sovereignty of neighboring nations and justify land grabs.
Sovereignty is Non-Negotiable
Abiy Ahmed knows this, which is why his calls for negotiations ring hollow. His rhetoric is not about diplomacy—it is about testing the limits of regional and international patience. But no amount of political maneuvering will change the fundamental truth: Sovereignty is not up for debate.
