Eritrean Regime’s Strategic Objective Is to Prevent Ethiopia’s Emergence as a Strong Regional Power: PM Advisor

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Prime Ministerial Advisor on East African Affairs, , has said that the Eritrean regime’s long-term strategic objective is to prevent Ethiopia from emerging as a strong and stable regional power, arguing that its policies are fundamentally anchored in weakening Ethiopia’s internal cohesion and obstructing sustained peace.

Speaking at the Ethiopian National Defense College’s Annual National Security Conference, organized by the , the advisor stressed that Ethiopia’s national security posture must be informed by a deep understanding of historical trajectories, current regional threats, and evolving geopolitical realities in the Horn of Africa.

Getachew argued that Eritrea’s strategic calculations regarding state survival have historically been intertwined with Ethiopia’s internal stability, asserting that successive Eritrean policy approaches have viewed a weakened Ethiopia as central to preserving its own strategic leverage.

He further noted that the handling of the Eritrean question by successive Ethiopian governments—including those of , the , and the —had significant and lasting political consequences, shaping both domestic trajectories and regional relations.

Recalling the federal arrangement of the 1950s, Getachew highlighted the strategic foresight of senior Ethiopian statesmen and diplomats, including former Foreign Minister Wolde Giorgis, who emphasized prioritizing national development, peace, and citizen welfare while strengthening long-term people-to-people ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He noted that this approach was designed to avoid short-term political decisions in favor of durable regional solutions.

On current regional issues, the advisor reaffirmed that Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable and sovereign access to the sea remains a legitimate national interest that must continue to be advanced through sustained diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation.

Referring to past remarks by Eritrean President , Getachew said the Eritrean leadership has acknowledged concerns that Ethiopia’s access to a seaport could accelerate economic integration and social connectivity between the two populations—an outcome he said the regime perceives as incompatible with its long-term political calculations.

He further stated that the Eritrean regime’s broader strategy seeks to exploit internal vulnerabilities within Ethiopia, encourage fragmentation, and hinder the consolidation of lasting peace and stability. He described this as a continuing national security challenge requiring comprehensive and coordinated response.

According to Getachew, any external attempt to directly challenge Ethiopia would first depend on weakening its internal resilience, adding that Eritrea currently lacks the military, technological, and structural capacity to engage Ethiopia in conventional confrontation. He therefore emphasized that Ethiopia’s most effective defense lies in strengthening national unity, institutional resilience, and internal capacity.

“Ethiopia, with a population exceeding 130 million, cannot remain isolated,” he said, underscoring that reliable access to the sea is both an economic necessity and a strategic imperative. He stressed the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to advance this objective while safeguarding national sovereignty and security interests.

Getachew also called for accelerated economic transformation alongside strengthened national defense capabilities, noting that the must remain prepared for emerging security challenges. He emphasized that military readiness should primarily function as a deterrent aimed at preventing both limited and large-scale conflict.

Concluding his remarks, the advisor stressed that Ethiopia’s long-term stability and development depend on learning from historical experience, pursuing strategic diplomacy, reinforcing national cohesion, and building resilient institutions capable of safeguarding sovereignty and ensuring sustainable prosperity.