Access to Sea Existential Necessity for Ethiopia, Says Former Tigray Chief-Administrator

Addis Ababa, July 18, 2026 (ENA) — Securing reliable access to the sea is an existential necessity for Ethiopia, requiring a carefully planned, legally grounded, and diplomatically driven national strategy to realize the country's maritime interests, according to former Tigray Regional State Chief Administrator Gebru Asrat.

Speaking to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Gebru stressed that the issue demands a sustained, highly structured, and institutional approach. He cautioned that discussing the matter in vague, general terms is no longer sufficient for a challenge of this magnitude. 

To ensure a successful and durable outcome, Gebru recommended establishing a dedicated executive body, such as a specialized commission or ministry, tasked with compiling technical, legal, and historical documentation.  

He emphasized that Ethiopia must present a well-organized, equitable case to regional and international organizations, including the African Union and the United Nations. 

Citing international frameworks, Gebru noted that landlocked nations hold recognized transit and access rights that Ethiopia can legitimately claim on legal, historical, and economic grounds. 

Reflecting on Ethiopia’s maritime history, Gebru characterized the approach taken during Eritrea’s 1991 secession as a fundamental strategic blunder by the former EPRDF government. He argued that the administration prioritized temporary political tranquility over safeguarding the nation's core, long-term geopolitical interests. 

While Ethiopia initially lost its coastline during the era of Emperor Menelik II following Italian colonial expansion, Gebru recalled how it was later restored through the diplomatic foresight of Emperor Haile Selassie.  

However, the subsequent collapse of the federal relationship led to renewed conflict, culminating in Eritrea's independence. Gebru criticized the immediate recognition of Eritrea's sovereignty without any formal negotiation regarding Ethiopia’s maritime rights. 

This historical oversight left Ethiopia entirely landlocked after access to the ports of Assab and Massawa was severed, forcing the country to route over 90 percent of its import and export trade through Djibouti. 

Gebru, who first advocated for the nation's maritime rights in a book published over a decade ago, noted that current national efforts align with these long-standing, fundamental interests.  

However, he cautioned that this pursuit should not be rushed or driven by panic to create the mere illusion of action. Instead, it must be executed steadily over time with meticulous, long-term planning. 

Ultimately, Gebru underscored that Ethiopia must secure its sea access through tact, wisdom, and rigorous execution, maintaining that the country is fully entitled to maritime access under international law, history, and geographical necessity.