ADDIS ABABA (KAAB TV) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has signaled a bold shift in Ethiopia’s regional strategy, declaring his government’s intention to “correct” what he described as a historic mistake: the abandonment of the Port of Assab in Eritrea, a decision that continues to shape the fragile relations between the two Horn of Africa neighbors.
In a nationally televised interview aired on Ethiopian broadcaster ETV on September 1, Prime Minister Abiy addressed the sensitive issue of Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to secure access to the Red Sea — a campaign that has recently triggered a new wave of diplomatic friction with Eritrea.
“For thousands of years, we were unable to fully utilize the Nile River and its benefits. And only 30 years ago did we gain access to the Red Sea — a presence that was fleeting, almost yesterday when viewed through the lens of history,” Abiy said, referencing a scenic area near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
He continued: “The mistake we made yesterday will be corrected tomorrow. It is not a complicated matter.”
A Strategic Reawakening
Ethiopia’s desire to re-establish a presence along the Red Sea, particularly through the Eritrean port of Assab, has been a long-standing national priority. As a landlocked country since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, Ethiopia currently depends heavily on the Port of Djibouti, through which more than 90% of its international trade flows. Access to alternative ports is seen as a matter of both economic necessity and national sovereignty.
However, Ethiopia’s recent rhetoric has stirred unease in Eritrea. Officials in Asmara have previously condemned Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access as a “toxic agenda of land claims” — a serious allegation given the bloody border war between the two countries from 1998 to 2000, which left tens of thousands dead.
Regional Context and Implications
Prime Minister Abiy’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, where conflicts over water rights, economic corridors, and territorial boundaries continue to disrupt regional stability. His reference to past mistakes and promises of correction underscore Ethiopia’s intention to assert greater influence over its geopolitical destiny — particularly as global interest in the Red Sea intensifies due to trade, energy, and security concerns.
While Abiy did not offer specifics on how Ethiopia intends to “correct” its past decision or regain access to Eritrean ports, the statement reflects Addis Ababa’s growing impatience with the limitations of its current maritime dependency.
For now, it remains unclear whether Ethiopia is seeking a diplomatic resolution, a regional economic agreement, or pursuing more assertive means to achieve its objectives. What is evident, however, is that the issue of sea access is rapidly becoming a central pillar of Abiy’s foreign policy and national development agenda.