Ethiopia’s pursuit of sustainable access to the sea is not merely a geopolitical ambition but a fundamental issue of national survival, said Jafar Bedru, Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA). In a recent statement to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Jafar emphasized that Ethiopia’s growing population, expanding economy, and vast landmass make access to the sea a necessity rather than a choice.

“The economy is growing, the population is growing, and Ethiopia is the biggest and the largest country in the Horn of Africa. So, without access to the sea, the economy is going to stagnate, adversely impacting the region as a whole,” Jafar stated.

Economic and Strategic Necessity

Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa and the largest economy in the Horn of Africa, currently relies on Djibouti for over 90% of its imports and exports. This dependency creates logistical and economic vulnerabilities, increasing transport costs and limiting trade efficiency. Jafar warned that without a reliable and direct sea outlet, Ethiopia’s economic progress could slow down, affecting not only its own stability but also the prosperity of the entire region.

“A stable and prosperous Horn of Africa region is impossible without ensuring access and outlet to the sea for Ethiopia to easily export and import goods,” he explained.

The “Horn First” Principle and Regional Cooperation

Jafar stressed that Ethiopia’s foreign policy prioritizes regional cooperation under the “Horn First” principle, which has been central to Ethiopia’s diplomatic approach since 2018. This principle promotes regional integration, economic interdependence, and collective security, recognizing that the stability of Ethiopia is deeply connected to the well-being of its neighbors.

“The foreign policy of Ethiopia prioritizes neighboring countries and the Horn at large because Ethiopia shares population, language, border areas, and common destiny,” Jafar stated. “The existence of the region depends on understanding one another, coming together, and building a shared and unified political economy among nations of the Horn of Africa.”

Call for Peaceful Negotiation and Resource Exchange

Rather than advocating for unilateral action, Ethiopia is pursuing diplomatic and transactional solutions to secure its sea access. Jafar suggested that Ethiopia’s abundant resources, such as energy, agricultural products, and investment opportunities, could be leveraged in exchange for sustainable access to a port.

“There are peaceful (transactional) ways that we can do to make sure that Ethiopia accesses the sea,” he said. “Ethiopia has a lot of resources that its neighbors need. So we can exchange these resources to ensure a peaceful way of allowing Ethiopia to have access and outlet to the sea.”

Regional Stability and Shared Prosperity

Jafar emphasized that securing a sea outlet for Ethiopia is not just about economic benefits, it is also crucial for regional peace and stability. He urged neighboring countries to recognize that Ethiopia’s access to the sea would contribute to regional development rather than create conflict.

“Our neighbors should understand this,” he said. “Similarly, neighboring countries should understand the realities and collaboratively work with Ethiopia to ensure that the country secures sustainable access and outlet to the sea peacefully.”

In conclusion, Ethiopia’s call for sustainable sea access is rooted in economic logic, regional cooperation, and strategic necessity. As Jafar Bedru highlighted, ensuring Ethiopia’s access to the sea is not just in Ethiopia’s interest, it is vital for the entire Horn of Africa. A peaceful, negotiated resolution to this issue would foster economic growth, political stability, and stronger regional ties, paving the way for a more prosperous and interconnected future.