Ethiopia's Pursuit of Maritime Access Permanent Nat'l Imperative: IFA Executive Director

Addis Ababa, May 22, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia's pursuit of maritime access is a permanent national imperative driven by the vision of security, economic viability and regional integration, IFA Executive  Director Jafar Bedru underscored.

The 3rd Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Dialogue, was held today in Addis Ababa under the theme "Navigating Gulf-Horn Economic and Security Cooperation: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions."

Opening the dialogue, the Executive Director of IFA affirmed that the meeting reflects collective resolve to foster meaningful engagement, build mutual understanding and advance a shared vision for regional peace, security and prosperity.

For the Executive Director, the IFA is committed to producing actionable research for foreign policy actors, serving as a hub for thought leadership in diplomacy, peace and international cooperation.
 

 

Citing that the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden corridor is a critical geopolitical interface, he stressed that from Ethiopia’s perspective the corridor is vital from the long term stability, governance and accessibility.

Ethiopia’s pursuit of guaranteed maritime access is not a passing concern, he stated, adding that it is a permanent national imperative—driven by the vision of security, economic viability, and regional integration.

For too long, Ethiopia has been excluded from the Red Sea security arrangements and forced to rely on limited transit routes, he recalled.

Ethiopian Diaspora Service Director General Fitsum Arega said for his part that the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are crucial to connect the Horn of Africa and the Middle East states to the international market.

 

Historically, there has been significant economic and security cooperation between the Middle East in general and the Horn of Africa dating back to ancient times, he further pointed out.

The director general added that the renewed connection has the potential to transform economic and security collaboration in the region, given the strategic economic and security ties between the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia needs to strategically position itself to enhance its economic ties with the rest of the world, and actively participate in combating piracy, violent extremism and terrorism, which are significant economic and security challenges in the region.

He emphasized that Ethiopia's openness to investment, trade and development has the potential to attract the Middle East countries and Africa, noting the country's fast growing economy.

 

The National Defense Forces (NDF) Training Head, Lieutenant General Yimer Mekonnen underscored that the cooperation between the Horn of Africa and the Gulf region is not merely diplomatic, but a matter of regional stability.

According to Lieutenant General Yimer, Ethiopia's strategic pursuit of maritime access is grounded on the principle of mutual respect, transparency and regional cooperation.