Ethiopian Prime Minister Reaffirms Maritime Access Claims and Regional Anchor Role Following Quadripartite Summit
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered an inaugural address following his confirmation for a five-year term, presenting a dual approach regarding regional stability and Ethiopia’s long-standing quest for secure maritime access to the Red Sea.
Addressing the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy stated that obtaining an outlet to the Red Sea remains vital for the nation’s long-term economic development and strategic standing. He emphasized that Addis Ababa prefers to pursue maritime access through peaceful dialogue and the principle of give-and-take.
However, the Prime Minister also underscored that the nation will safeguard its vital interests from a position of sovereign strength rather than relying on external goodwill, linking regional security readiness to national survival.
The remarks follow the recent El Alamein Declaration issued by leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan, which asserted that Red Sea governance and security oversight are the exclusive responsibilities of littoral states. The quadripartite summit also reaffirmed strict adherence to legal frameworks governing shared transboundary water resources, including the Nile.
In response to regional developments and diplomatic friction involving neighboring states, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that any comprehensive discussion on regional maritime security must account for the country’s legitimate national interests and geographic proximity.
Meanwhile, international and regional figures, including Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, conveyed congratulatory messages following the Prime Minister’s parliamentary confirmation, expressing a shared desire for constructive diplomatic engagement across the Horn of Africa.
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