AMN Plus-February 10/2026
Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea is an indispensable necessity for sustaining the country’s rapid economic growth and maintaining its competitiveness in the global market.
Public Administration and Policy expert Gemechu Ararsa (PhD) stated that Ethiopia is historically a great nation that once possessed its own access to the Red Sea, adding that international institutions are increasingly acknowledging the country’s rapidly growing economy.
Gemechu also pointed out that Ethiopia’s quest for sea access is not only beneficial to the country itself but also contributes positively to peace and economic integration across the Horn of Africa.
Similarly, Madda Walabu University President Birhan Meskal Tena (PhD) underlined that Ethiopia’s demand for a seaport is a matter of justice rather than luxury. He stated that seaport ownership is directly linked to national security and defense capability.
The university president further warned that being landlocked and relying on ports controlled by others poses a serious challenge to safeguarding national sovereignty.
The scholars emphasized that Ethiopia’s demand is legitimate from historical, legal, and economic perspectives, noting that securing sea access is mutually beneficial and does not harm any nation.
In a region where foreign powers are increasingly establishing military bases amid intense geopolitical competition, the experts argued that neighboring countries should reinforce their sovereignty through economic interdependence and regional cooperation.
They concluded that Ethiopia’s effort to regain sea access lost through historical circumstances is part of its broader endeavor to independently manage its economy and strengthen its sovereignty.
By Birhanu Workneh
