PM Abiy Says Ethiopia Cannot Remain Landlocked Indefinitely and Calls for Peaceful Resolution of Seaport Access

Addis Ababa, April 17, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia cannot remain landlocked indefinitely, and the issue of seaport access must be resolved through peaceful negotiation and structured dialogue based on mutual understanding, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has said.

In the second part of his interview with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) under the theme “The Heart of Sovereignty,” the Prime Minister said Ethiopia’s seaport issue is both a short-term and long-term strategic concern that requires sustained engagement through diplomatic channels.

He stated that the matter should be addressed on the basis of give-and-take and fair negotiation, emphasizing that refusal to engage in dialogue is not a sustainable approach given the region’s long-term economic and geopolitical realities.

The Prime Minister noted that Ethiopia’s geographical position, stretching across a vast inland area far from coastal access, presents structural constraints for trade and economic development, particularly in relation to regional and global shipping routes.

He warned that failure to resolve the issue through peaceful consultation could have wider implications not only for Ethiopia’s development but also for regional stability and economic cooperation.

The Prime Minister further said that discussions on global trade and strategic maritime corridors, including key waterways such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, demonstrate the continued importance of secure and cooperative maritime access in international relations.

He pointed out that the region’s maritime environment is increasingly exposed to security risks, underscoring the need for stronger cooperation among countries sharing these strategic waters.

According to him, Ethiopia is addressing immediate logistical needs through the expansion of dry ports and trade corridors, including facilities linked to Djibouti as well as hubs in Mojo and Dire Dawa.

However, he stressed that in the long term, lack of direct access to the sea would continue to constrain Ethiopia’s economic transformation and development ambitions.

The Prime Minister concluded that Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access must be handled through peaceful, negotiated, and mutually beneficial arrangements, rather than prolonged avoidance of dialogue.