Addis Ababa, January 24, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopian Air Force Aviation Medical Officer Solomon Gurmu has emphasized that securing access to a seaport is essential for strengthening the country’s airspace control and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Speaking with Fana Media Corporation amid celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force, Solomon Gurmu highlighted the Air Force’s ongoing role in protecting Ethiopia’s borders.
He noted that the Air Force is steadily modernizing and enhancing its capabilities through advanced weaponry. At the same time, he underlined key institutional priorities, particularly the strategic importance of seaports in enhancing airspace control.
“Strengthening airspace control is vital for protecting national sovereignty,” Solomon Gurmu said. “It is therefore essential to ensure Ethiopia’s seaport request is addressed.”
Explaining the legal framework, he referred to the Paris Principles adopted in 1919 after World War I, which grant countries the right to control airspace up to 100 kilometers in accordance with their geographic location. He added that while landlocked countries can exercise additional airspace control, they require the approval of coastal nations to manage airspace over international waters.
“Without access to a seaport, landlocked countries cannot fully control the airspace above the sea, which could pose risks to their sovereignty,” he explained.
Solomon Gurmu clarified that Ethiopia is not seeking a new seaport, but aims to regain access to its existing one, calling for joint national and international efforts to achieve this strategic objective.