Addis Ababa, October 15, 2026 (FMC) — Eritrea’s Blue Revolution People’s Movement has said Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea has never posed a threat to the Eritrean people, describing it instead as an opportunity for shared development and prosperity between the two neighboring countries.
Yoel Yohannes, Head of Diplomatic Mission for the Blue Revolution People’s Movement, said the position taken by the regime of Isaias Afwerki against Ethiopia’s pursuit of mutually beneficial development does not represent the aspirations of the Eritrean people.
He said Eritreans yearn for development and justice and have an interest in growing alongside Ethiopia, but that their aspirations have long been frustrated by the country’s authoritarian system.
Yohannes stressed that Ethiopia has never been a threat to Eritrea and that Ethiopia’s demand for access to the sea should be viewed as an opportunity for Eritreans to benefit from shared economic growth rather than as a security concern.
He further accused the authorities in Asmara of working to undermine what he described as Ethiopia’s legitimate aspiration, alleging that they had continued to act on directives from Cairo.
Yohannes emphasized that Eritreans living across the world understand that Ethiopia is not a threat to their security, but can instead serve as a guarantor of their security and a partner in regional development.
His remarks distinguish the position of Eritrea’s ruling authorities from the aspirations he attributes to the Eritrean people, framing Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access as an opportunity for cooperation and shared prosperity between the two countries.