Abiy Rejects War Over Red Sea Access, Eyes Peaceful Path

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) declared Ethiopia has no intention of waging war with Eritrea to secure maritime access, signalling his Administration’s preference for diplomatic engagement over armed confrontation.

His remarks, delivered to Parliament today, received applause from lawmakers and emphasised what he called the country’s “existential” stake in reaching the Red Sea.

“We desire an engagement,” Abiy told Parliament. “The Red Sea is an existential issue for Ethiopia.”

He argued that with a population of over 100 million people, the country should not be denied a route to the sea, referring to the long coastline in the Horn of Africa region.

Ethiopia, landlocked since Eritrea’s 1993 independence, has historically sought ways to access the Red Sea for trade and security. Tensions between the two countries, marked by a bloody war from 1998 to 2000, largely eased following a rapprochement that earned Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. However, economic and strategic considerations have kept the Red Sea issue prominent in bilateral for the Prosperity Party (PP), under Abiy.

In his parliamentary address, the Prime Minister stated his desire to have engagements with Eritrea and other neighboring countries to develop mutual interests.

“Our focus is on shared objectives and partnerships,” he said. “War is not on our agenda as we have no fear of threat from any force."