Ethiopian Prime Minister Insists Ethiopia Will Not Go to War Over Sea Access

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has assured that his government will not resort to war in its quest for access to the sea, even as tensions rise in the Horn of Africa.

Speaking recently, Abiy said Ethiopia has “no intention of invading or attacking others” as it pursues discussions on securing a seaport. He emphasized that maritime access is vital for Ethiopia’s economic future, but stressed that the government will seek it through peaceful dialogue and cooperation. “We won’t be ashamed to ask for access to a port,” he said. “We do not question the sovereignty of Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti or Kenya, and Ethiopia will not fire a single bullet at them.”

Abiy’s remarks come amid growing concern over his vision of restoring Ethiopia’s sovereign access to the Red Sea, particularly through Eritrea’s Assab port. Ethiopia lost direct sea access in 1993 when Eritrea gained independence. Since then, most of Ethiopia’s trade has passed through Djibouti, costing the country an estimated 1.5 billion dollars annually.

At a recent stadium event in southern Ethiopia, Abiy presided over a parade of special forces. The event featured banners declaring that Ethiopia would not remain landlocked “whether you like it or not,” alongside imagery of a soldier breaking through a door toward a port. Analysts interpreted the display as a show of strength aimed at Eritrea, raising fears of renewed conflict.

Abiy has previously pursued controversial maritime deals, including one with Somaliland earlier this year. That agreement angered Somalia and heightened regional tensions, though the dispute has since cooled. His renewed focus on Assab, however, has sparked fresh concerns about Ethiopia’s relations with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.

The two countries fought a brutal border war that ended with the 2000 Algiers Agreement. Although Abiy was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for reconciling with Eritrea, relations have deteriorated in recent years.

Regional observers warn that Ethiopia’s push for sea access could destabilize the Horn of Africa if not carefully managed. The International Crisis Group has cautioned that escalating rhetoric and military movements along the border risk sparking a new regional war.

For now, Abiy insists dialogue remains his preferred path. He acknowledged that Ethiopia’s demands may not be resolved quickly, but said the country will continue to call for negotiations that respect the sovereignty of its neighbors. “It is not about violating others,” he said. “It is about finding a fair way to conduct business.”