Ethiopia’s Sea Access Quest Crucial for Regional Harmony, Shared Prosperity: Scholars

Addis Ababa, January 2, 2026 (ENA)— Ethiopia’s pursuit of sovereign access to the sea is a rational and strategic necessity, essential for ensuring regional peace, security, and collective growth, Scholars said.

They affirmed that Ethiopia is engaged in a pivotal diplomatic endeavor in the volatile Horn of Africa, a region where global powers frequently contend to safeguard their interests.

This movement seeks to mend a historical fracture, moving the nation beyond the constraints of being a mere observer along the vital Red Sea corridor.

The quest for sea access is rooted in long-term strategic planning designed to protect the national interests of both current and future generations, the underscored.

According to the scholars, these diplomatic efforts are now gaining significant recognition within the international community.

Ahmed Zekaria, a distinguished scholar of history and culture, noted that Ethiopia’s history and national honor are inextricably linked to the Red Sea and the Abay River.

He emphasizes that these two bodies of water are not merely development options but are fundamental to the nation's existence and the protection of its sovereignty.

 

 

Ahmed also emphasized that only three decades ago, Ethiopia possessed its own historical and natural gateways to the sea.

Current initiatives are righteous actions intended to correct historical distortions and reclaim the nation’s natural endowments, he added. 

Furthermore, he expressed his beliefs that securing sea access ownership is a vital catalyst for the stability and mutual advancement of the entire East African region.

Tofik Abdullahi, a Member of the House of Peoples' Representatives and former Ambassador to Yemen, on his part described the past maneuvers that distanced Ethiopia from its coastline as a regrettable chapter in history.

The current diplomatic push has reached a decisive stage, he underscored.

 

 

The Ambassador further elaborated that there will be an immense value of the East African coast and the Red Sea to global commerce.

He emphasized that securing Ethiopia’s access to the sea would serve as a cornerstone for regional tranquility rather than a point of conflict.

Ahmed further asserted that the efforts regarding Assab, which he identifies as Ethiopia’s legal, historical, and natural port must be pursued with renewed vigor.

Supporting this sentiment, Tofik called upon all citizens to stand united in realizing this generational quest, describing it as the heart of the nation’s strategic interest.