Addis Ababa, August 2, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said Ethiopia today possesses the capacity and readiness to confront any threat to its sovereignty and national interests, stressing that the country has drawn lessons from past challenges and strengthened its ability to safeguard its future.
In a recent interview with Amhara Media Corporation (AMECO), the Prime Minister reflected on Ethiopia’s security preparedness, historical experiences, internal challenges and the importance of addressing differences through nationally rooted solutions.
Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia has undergone significant changes compared with previous periods, noting that the country has built stronger capabilities and is better prepared to protect its sovereignty and maintain its national interests.
He explained that Ethiopia’s history demonstrates how internal divisions combined with external pressures have repeatedly created challenges for the country, adding that understanding these experiences is essential to addressing current realities.
The Prime Minister said some forces operating in parts of the Amhara and Oromia regions have claimed to stand for public interests and the protection of communities, but their actions have not reflected such claims.
He stated that partnerships between domestic actors and external forces that seek to weaken Ethiopia’s interests cannot lead to development or sustainable solutions, but instead risk repeating damaging patterns witnessed throughout history.
Prime Minister Abiy noted that attempts to undermine Ethiopia’s strategic position have previously contributed to major national setbacks, including developments that left the country without direct access to the Red Sea and created long-term consequences for generations.
He said Ethiopia today is not the Ethiopia of the past, explaining that the country has learned from historical experiences, recognized its vulnerabilities and taken measures to strengthen its capacity to respond to challenges.
The Prime Minister emphasized that internal differences, political disagreements and disputes should be addressed through Ethiopia’s own traditions of dialogue, reconciliation and mediation rather than through the involvement of external actors.
He warned that bringing outside forces into domestic matters would not produce lasting solutions and could instead create further instability and harm the country’s peace and development efforts.
Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia’s current preparedness and resilience represent a significant departure from previous periods, adding that those seeking to challenge the country’s stability should understand the lessons of history and the realities of today’s Ethiopia.
He reiterated that Ethiopia remains committed to pursuing peace, stability and development while maintaining its ability to defend its sovereignty and national interests.