Sea Port Ownership Key Nat'l Interest Defining Ethiopia’s Economic Sovereignty: Gov't Chief Whip

Addis Ababa, May 24, 2026 —Ethiopia’s quest for ownership of a seaport is a key national interest and an existential issue that determines the country’s economic sovereignty, Government Chief Whip Minister Tesfaye Beljige (PhD) said.

According to him, Ethiopia’s pursuit of a seaport is grounded in strong and rational foundations that combine historical and geographical realities with legal rights and principles of equitable access.

The Chief Whip stated that Ethiopia’s connection with the Red Sea coast has been deeply embedded in the history of its state formation and nation-building.

The strength of the Axumite civilization and the extensive trade conducted with Middle Eastern countries through the Port of Adulis were, for instance, rooted in Ethiopia’s longstanding ties with the Red Sea, he elaborated.

The Chief Whip further pointed out that historical efforts to isolate Ethiopia from the Red Sea, including through the use of internal collaborators, represent a deeply regrettable historical rupture caused by misguided calculations and conspiracies.

Even today, external actors and their local agents continue pursuing what Tesfaye described as flawed calculations aimed at obstructing Ethiopia’s quest for ownership of sea port, access.

The Chief Whip further elaborated that over the past three decades, Ethiopia has managed to break a dangerous narrative that treated raising the issue of sea port as a provocative act, creating an important platform for dialogue and discussion on the matter.

He recalled that since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed publicly raised Ethiopia’s quest for ownership of sea port, the House of People's Representatives has carried out extensive activities related to public diplomacy and people-to-people engagement on the issue.

Ethiopians should maintain a united vision and firm position on issues of national interest, the Chief Whip underscored.

No political differences should lead to compromising a generational issue, he noted, urging the need for collective cooperation to safeguard national interests and aspirations.

Ethiopia continues to pursue its quest for sea port through peaceful means and on the basis of mutual benefit, Tesfaye stated.

The Chief Whip cited international examples of cooperative arrangements adopted by countries such as Bolivia and Peru, Brazil and Paraguay in Latin America, as well as Mali, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire in Africa.

He further said that Ethiopia is widely promoting its aspirations within the framework of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 by fostering regional connectivity and economic integration among countries in the region.

Ethiopia’s lack of sea port is placing significant pressure on the national economy, according to Tesfaye, who noted that the country has been forced to annually spend between 1.5 billion and 2 billion USD on port and logistics services alone.

The Chief Whip stated that the growing cost has negatively affected Ethiopia’s trade competitiveness as well as its overall economic growth trajectory.

Tesfaye finally called on media institutions to promote national consensus and clearly communicate Ethiopia’s position to sea port ownership.

Ethiopia’s quest for sea port is one of the key national interest issues that determines the country’s development, growth, and prosperity through the safeguarding of economic sovereignty, he stressed.