Ethiopia seeks access to the sea while facing opposition from Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia. Army chief Birhanu Jula emphasized the unjust nature of Ethiopia’s lack of access and aimed for peaceful resolutions. Joint discussions occurred with Somalia, contrasting with a Tripartite alliance formed between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia which rejects external involvement. An agreement with Somaliland has sparked conflict with Somalia, although Turkey is facilitating dialogue.
Ethiopia is actively pursuing access to the sea despite ongoing tensions with neighboring countries, as asserted by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the head of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces. He described Ethiopia’s lack of sea access as ‘unjust’, stating that the quest has gained recognition as a just issue within the international community. This statement was made during the commemoration of the 129th anniversary of the Adowa Victory.
The Ethiopian army chief emphasized that the nation is preparing to secure its interests and defend against external threats, prioritizing peaceful means. He expressed confidence, stating, “It is only a matter of time before we become a member of the Red Sea community.” This follows technical discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia regarding Ethiopia’s sea access request, held in Ankara.
In response to Ethiopia’s ambitions, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki reaffirmed their shared stance against any non-littoral nations interfering in the security and governance of the Red Sea. Their comments came after a meeting discussing the recent regional developments, where they maintained that such interference would not be accepted.
Since the summit in 2024, Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia have formed a Tripartite alliance, holding their first ministerial meeting in Cairo earlier this year. During this meeting, they collectively underscored their rejection of military or naval presence from non-littoral states in the Red Sea, emphasizing the need to respect Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ethiopia has also engaged with Somaliland, signing an agreement that would grant it access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea in return for recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty. This agreement faced opposition from Somalia, which sought international intervention. However, dialogue was facilitated through Turkey to address the concerns.
Ethiopia’s push for sea access amid regional tensions demonstrates its commitment to securing national interests. The response from Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia highlights the geopolitical complexities in the Horn of Africa. With ongoing discussions and strategic alliances, the outcome remains pivotal for regional stability and Ethiopia’s aspirations.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
