In an interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) published Thursday, Ambassador Massinga emphasized that maritime access is crucial for Ethiopia’s economic ambitions and regional integration.

“For a nation of Ethiopia’s scale — with a rapidly expanding economy and ambitious growth projections — access to maritime trade is of vital importance,” he said.

He underscored that the U.S. government is “fully committed” to assisting Ethiopia in its quest for sea access through commercial and diplomatic avenues.

“Strengthening maritime access through commercial, diplomatic, and peaceful avenues is a fundamental priority — one that the United States government and my embassy are fully committed to supporting,” Massinga stated.

Ethiopia has been actively pursuing regional cooperation to obtain port access, emphasizing mutual benefit and regional economic development.

These efforts have gained broad recognition from the international community.

Meanwhile, Addis Ababa is nearing completion of its ambitious Navy Headquarters project — a bold undertaking for a landlocked country.

The Ethiopian Navy has confirmed that construction is 95% complete.

The facility, located in the Janmeda area of the capital, spans three hectares and includes a four-story complex with offices, meeting halls, a clinic, and sports facilities.

Despite lacking a coastline, Ethiopian officials say the navy is vital to protecting trade routes, securing future maritime links, and responding to global maritime threats.

Earlier this year, Ethiopia deepened its naval ambitions by signing a cooperation agreement with Russia in March to support naval development and training. Ethiopian military officials also visited Moscow as part of the deal.

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President Irro held talks with the Ethiopian diplomats led by Kebede Abera Ido, the Deputy Ambassador of Ethiopia to Djibouti.

Their discussions covered issues including the security of the Red Sea and trade routes.

“The President discussed with the Ambassadors the development of the region’s economy, investment opportunities, trade facilitation, the promotion of infrastructure projects, and the increase in humanitarian aid,” the Somaliland Presidency said in a statement.

The Ethiopian Deputy Ambassador stated that they are working to strengthen the diplomatic relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia, particularly in the areas of security and trade cooperation.

The meeting comes shortly after Ethiopia backed away from a controversial agreement it had signed with the Somaliland administration on January 1, 2024, which Ethiopia claimed had granted it access to a portion of Somaliland’s coastline.

Ethiopia has long sought sea access to facilitate the import and export of goods to and from international markets.

On May 18, President Irro announced that Somaliland would further strengthen its relations with Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the United Arab Emirates.

The President is also expected to visit Ethiopia in the near future.

Since Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s visit to Las Anod, Somaliland has suspended its dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia, accusing the Somali government of instigating provocations against Somaliland.

The Somali government has previously rejected the maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

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