Ethiopia deserves a seaport to advance development and regional integration, says South Sudanese scholar

Addis Ababa, June 12, 2025 (FMC) – Ter Tongyik Majok, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Strategic and Development Studies at the University of Juba, emphasized that Ethiopia’s peaceful pursuit of seaport access represents a strategic move to foster economic growth and deepen regional integration.

Speaking in a recent episode of Fana Media Corporation’s Arabic podcast series, Dr. Ter stated that access to the sea is crucial not only for Ethiopia’s development but also for the broader region. He noted that countries like South Sudan, which currently cannot benefit from Port Sudan due to the conflict in Sudan, stand to gain significantly from using Ethiopian transit routes for imports and exports.

“It is the sovereign right of every nation to seek economic expansion to improve the standard of living of its people,” Dr. Ter said. He described Ethiopia’s approach as a model strategy based on dialogue and regional cooperation, calling for continued engagement with coastal states to secure seaport access peacefully.

Dr. Ter further noted that improved seaport access for Ethiopia would contribute to job creation, strengthen infrastructure, encourage population movement, and improve social cohesion—developments that would positively influence regional stability.

He also recalled points from a research paper he presented at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Conference held in Addis Ababa, where he focused on the shared importance of maritime security and the need to develop port infrastructure in cooperation with Middle Eastern partners.

The paper also addressed the threats posed by extremist groups and piracy, emphasizing the value of establishing a regional early warning system—especially in light of challenges facing naval operations near Yemen. He also noted that IGAD has a maritime safety specialist dedicated to the Red Sea.

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Ter highlighted Ethiopia’s strong record in contributing to peacekeeping missions both within and beyond Africa. He said the country’s efforts to gain sea access align with its regional role in maintaining peace and security, and would strengthen cooperation on shared natural resources for sustainable development.

His comments echo the views recently expressed by U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga, who, in an interview with local news agency ENA, described Ethiopia’s aspiration for sea access as a “legitimate ambition.”

Ambassador Massinga noted that for a country of Ethiopia’s size and economic potential, maritime access is essential to achieving development goals. He reiterated that the U.S. remains supportive of Ethiopia’s efforts to enhance infrastructure, trade, and diplomacy as part of its peaceful strategy for securing sea access.