Abiy Ahmed Declares: Ethiopia’s Red Sea ‘Mistake’ Will Be Corrected











Addis Ababa – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has once again placed Ethiopia’s long-standing quest for direct access to the Red Sea at the center of national debate, declaring in a televised interview that “the mistake made 30 years ago will be corrected tomorrow.”

Speaking alongside his Social Affairs Advisor during a discussion on the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Abiy drew a parallel between Ethiopia’s centuries-old struggle over the Nile and its current status as a landlocked country. “The Red Sea was in our hands 30 years ago. That history was yesterday’s mistake. Tomorrow it will be corrected. It is not too difficult,” he said.

A Landlocked Nation’s Existential Dilemma

Ethiopia became the largest landlocked country in Africa when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. The separation severed Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea, including the once-strategic port of Assab, forcing the country to rely heavily on Djibouti for nearly all of its import and export trade.

Prime Minister Abiy argued that Ethiopia’s growing population and economic ambitions make the issue urgent. “We have been silent for decades, but remaining a prisoner of the land is no longer sustainable. This is not a matter of pride—it has become an existential issue,” he said, underscoring that access to a seaport is now a matter of national survival.

Rising Tensions with Eritrea

The Prime Minister’s comments have not sat well with Asmara. Eritrean officials view Addis Ababa’s insistence on “correcting” the Red Sea issue as a veiled challenge to their sovereignty. Relations between the two neighbors—already strained after Ethiopia’s peace deal with Eritrea faltered—have deteriorated further amid Eritrea’s growing cooperation with Egypt, a rival of Ethiopia in the GERD dispute.

Earlier this year, Abiy told Ethiopia’s parliament that securing seaport access would be pursued “on the basis of mutual benefit, common use, and market principles,” insisting there was “no need for a fight.” Eritrea, however, has accused Ethiopia of belligerence, with President Isaias Afwerki warning that outside geopolitical forces may be influencing Addis Ababa’s stance.

Military and Legal Arguments

Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Defense, echoed Abiy’s framing. In an interview with Prime Media, he laid out four main reasons behind Ethiopia’s push for a sea outlet:

Historical Ties – The general emphasized that the Red Sea, particularly Assab, historically belonged to Ethiopia. “When we say we have a historical relationship, this sea was with us. Assab was autonomous,” he said.

International Law – Ethiopia’s geographic proximity to the Red Sea, he argued, gives it legal standing. “Distance from the Red Sea is evidence under international law that supports Ethiopia’s claim.”

National Security – Teshome warned that without a sea outlet, Ethiopia remains vulnerable to threats launched from maritime domains. “We need a sea gate to defend our cities and even our capital from water-based threats,” he noted.

Existential Imperative – Finally, he described seaport access as vital to Ethiopia’s very survival. “This is not about prestige. Existence is a national interest that requires paying any price,” he concluded, stressing that Ethiopia prefers diplomacy but will not ignore security concerns.

The Assab Controversy

The general also questioned the legitimacy of Eritrea’s ownership of Assab, claiming that Ethiopia’s transitional government of the early 1990s lacked the authority to relinquish it. “A transitional government that was not elected by the people had no mandate to hand over a sea gate,” he said.

This position has added fuel to speculation about whether Ethiopia may eventually test Eritrea’s resolve over the port through diplomatic or even military means.

Diplomatic Path or Collision Course?

Despite the heated rhetoric, Prime Minister Abiy has repeatedly said that Ethiopia “has no interest in fighting Eritrea over the Red Sea.” He insists discussions will be guided by mutual benefit, but his framing of seaport access as a “life-and-death matter” has unsettled Eritrea and raised regional concerns.

For now, Ethiopia continues to depend on Djibouti, but Abiy’s latest remarks suggest the question of Red Sea access will remain a defining issue in Ethiopian politics. Whether it becomes a matter of negotiation, confrontation, or long-term strategic patience remains to be seen.