Honorary Defense Force Members Call for Stronger National Commitment to Ethiopia's Sea Access

People described as honorary members of Ethiopia's defense force have called for a stronger national commitment to securing sea access for the country, according to the state-run Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).

The ENA report did not say who took part, where the remarks were made or what specific measures, if any, were proposed. The appeal comes amid a sustained government effort to place maritime access at the center of national policy.

A long-running national priority

Ethiopia, with an estimated population of more than 120 million, has been landlocked since Eritrea's formal independence in 1993. The country routes most of its foreign trade through the port of Djibouti. Officials say the arrangement is costly and leaves the economy dependent on a single corridor.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed brought the issue to the forefront in October 2023, when he described access to the Red Sea as an existential matter for Ethiopia. Senior officials have since returned to the theme repeatedly. The government says it intends to pursue access through peaceful means, negotiation and mutual benefit.

Regional sensitivities

The campaign has generated tension in the Horn of Africa. Key developments include:

• January 2024: Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is not internationally recognized. The deal reportedly covers sea access. Somalia condemned it as a violation of its sovereignty.
• December 2024: After Turkish mediation, Ethiopia and Somalia issued the Ankara Declaration. In it, they agreed to work toward commercial arrangements that would give Ethiopia reliable sea access under Somali authority.
• Ongoing: Relations with Eritrea, whose coastline includes the port of Assab, have remained strained.

Neighboring governments and international partners have urged that any arrangement respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of coastal states.

Building public support

Government-aligned forums, media programs and public events have increasingly framed sea access as a question of economic survival and long-term national interest. Appeals from figures associated with the defense force fit this broader pattern of state messaging.

Critics have cautioned that strong rhetoric on the issue risks raising regional tensions while Ethiopia faces internal security challenges and economic pressures. Supporters argue that access to more than one port is essential for the country's trade, growth and strategic position.

Addis Gazette will update this story as more details of the remarks become available.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency (state)