PM Abiy Tells BRICS Summit Ethiopia Will Pursue Sea Access Solely Through Negotiations
Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed reiterated at the BRICS Summit that Ethiopia will continue seeking access to the sea through diplomatic channels, framing the ambition strictly as an economic priority rather than a security objective. Addressing delegates, Abiy emphasized that maritime access is essential for the landlocked nation of over 120 million people to expand trade, […]
Black News 
Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed reiterated at the BRICS Summit that Ethiopia will continue seeking access to the sea through diplomatic channels, framing the ambition strictly as an economic priority rather than a security objective.
Addressing delegates, Abiy emphasized that maritime access is essential for the landlocked nation of over 120 million people to expand trade, strengthen supply chains, and reduce transport costs.
“For Ethiopia, access to the sea is, first and foremost, an economic imperative,” Abiy said. “Ethiopia will continue to pursue this objective through peaceful and negotiated arrangements.”
Ethiopia’s renewed drive for Red Sea access has heightened regional diplomatic friction. Officials in neighboring countries, including Eritrea, have rejected Addis Ababa’s stance, characterizing sovereign access initiatives as a threat to territorial integrity.
Abiy rejected claims of aggression, stating that securing reliable port access through bilateral agreements would build economic resilience while fostering broader Horn of Africa integration.
