Borkena
Toronto – As the seventh national election is approaching, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had a more than two hours long interview ( sound more like choreographed) on the state media.
The two part interview was released this week. And one of the issues he reiterated in the interview was access to the sea.
He was insinuating about the possibility of war – clearly against Eritrea.
“Better to be resolved peacefully as much as possible” but it is a “must” he said. His point is essentially explicit that if a peaceful way does not work, his government is likely to pursue a military option.
As was the case in the recent past, the Prime Minister painted an image that lack of access to the sea is the main problem that is standing in the way of Ethiopia’s pursuit of development.
“For Ethiopia to feed its citizens adequately, be self-reliant and competitive in the world, one the major bottleneck is port.”
Ethiopia is said to spend over $2 billion per year in port fees for its import and export needs.
Over the past two years, his government has been attempting to keep the narrative access to the sea in the limelight on a regular basis. New claims have even emerged. In one of his parliamentary appearances last year, he claimed that there is “no record as to who decided to hand over Assab to Eritrea.”
Eritrea has been regularly responding to claims on the part of Abiy Ahmed’s government. It sees the narratives as provocations. It has also made it clear that it will not give up any of its sovereign territories.
There have been reports about military preparation for what many politicians tend to see as inevitable conflict.
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The desperate Abiy Ahmed who is losing control of much of Ethiopia is trying to divert attention and bluffing. The new amhara generation would never be deceived.
አሁን ደግሞ “ፅምዶ” ሆነሽ ኤርትራን መደገፍሽ ነው? ያለፈው ጊዜ – “ሻብያ ድንግሌን ወሰደ፣ ደፈረኝ፣ ዘረፈኝ፣ ወዘተ” – ብለሽን – ለቅሶ ተቀምጠን አልነበረም እንዴ? ታድያ አሁን – ሻብያ ድንግልሽን እና የዘረፈሽን መልሶልሽ ነው – ወይስ – እንዴት ነው ነገሩ?
The Affar Red Sea Coast [ARSC] has never been part of Eritrea till EPLF annexed it in 1993 with TPLF’s complicity & blessing! Every Ethiopian should strive to get ARSC back! All options should be on the table! I am unapologetic about that!
You can’t speak for Amhara. We know your slogan that you gave Oromia for the Oromo people. As Amhara I don’t support Ethnic politics, but person like you need to be reborn to talk about Ethiopia as a whole.
1). Asèb is Ethiopia’s Red Sea Port Town: It has never been part of Bahirè-Nègash [renamed ‘Eritrea’ by Italy]! Asèb is on Ethiopia’s Affar Red Sea Coast [ARSC]. ARSC is Ethiopia’s Affars’ homeland stretching from South of ‘Massawa’ to North of Djibouti. In 1993, Eritrea annexed it, concocted ‘Eritrean Affar’ crap, and land-locked Ethiopia.
2). Eritrea’s Secession [1993] is Legally Non-Binding & Null-AND-Void: At the time, EPLF/Eritrea & TPLF/Tigray [Both Egypt-backed Secessionists] were co-ruling Ethiopia. So, Ethiopia was not represented by an elected government. Hence, the absence of “The Mother Country’s Consent” renders it Non-Binding & Null-AND-Void.
3). Fast-Tracked Eritrea’s Secession: TPLF’s Meles, EPLF’s Isayas, and UN’s Boutros-Gali [Egyptian] ratified the secession, fast-tracked Eritrea’s membership in AU/UN, and let Eritrea get away with annexing the ARSC. That land-locked Ethiopia and crippled Ethiopia economically & geopolitically →[The Weak Ethiopia Egypt funded them for!]
4). No Quid-Pro-Quo for ARSC: ARSC belongs to Ethiopia. Hence, Ethiopia should put all options on the table to repossess it. However, proceed with caution due to at least two hazards: (i). Land mines laid during the 1998-2000 Ethio-Eritrea War [and later]; (ii). The French Nuclear Waste buried by EPLF in that region [for a generous sum of money].
5). Quid-Pro-Quo [QPQ]: Any country [except Eritrea] that offers Ethiopia a coast line managed-operated-protected by Ethiopia deserves a QPQ. In 1998, Eritrea robbed Ethiopia millions [imports & exports] at both Massawa & Asèb. Ethiopian Airlines lost millions as well [Millions in Eritrea’s banks & millions in assets (in offices & at airport)].
I don’t think the majority of us disagree with the idea of the old country having its own outlet to the sea but not by violent means. Look at this way. The population of that country is reportedly around 135 million now and is expected to almost double by the year 2050 to close 250 million. That is a mere 25 years from now. Such huge size people can not continue to be suffocated for lack of an outlet to the sea. That would not be a privilege but a right. That is more than 250 million people. Again, a peaceful and lasting win-win diplomatic solution must be sorted out.
This is just my 2 cents worth of an opinion. So take it easy bigots and connivers!!!
I expect the ruling party to lose a significant number of seats in the parliament in the next election but will maintain the majority in the house. I strongly advise the opposition not to squander the hard won gain this time and repeat the 2005 ill advised decision. Take whatever is won and go on doing your opposition duties. The citizens of the world will be with you along the way in your peaceful struggle for inclusive democracy and the rule of law. Godspeed!!!
I expect the ruling party to lose a significant number of seats in the parliament in the next election but will maintain the majority in the house. I strongly advise the opposition not to squander the hard won gain this time and repeat the 2005 ill advised decision. Take whatever is won and go on doing your opposition duties. The citizens of the world will be with you along the way in your peaceful struggle for inclusive democracy and the rule of law. Godspeed!!!