Ethiopia has reaffirmed its historical and geographical connection to the Red Sea, insisting that its legitimate national interests must be taken into account in any discussion over the strategic waterway, while calling for disputes in the Horn of Africa to be resolved through dialogue and regional cooperation.
In a statement on October 5, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted the country’s geographic position and historical ties to the Red Sea could not be separated from discussions on regional maritime affairs and security. It stressed that Ethiopia’s nearest border lies barely 30 miles from the Red Sea coast.
The ministry also drew a parallel with the Abay River, commonly known as the Blue Nile, arguing that Ethiopia’s position as the source of virtually all of the river’s flow and its contribution of about 85% of the Nile’s total flow must inform discussions on its utilisation and management.
“Virtually all of the Blue Nile originates in the Ethiopian highlands, and the Abay contributes about 85 percent of the Nile River’s total flow. Any discussion concerning the utilization and management of the Abay River should be informed by these fundamental realities” the statement read.
On the Red Sea, Addis Ababa maintained that changes in political boundaries over time had not erased Ethiopia’s geographic and historical connection to the maritime corridor. It argued that any serious discussion of regional maritime affairs and security architecture must therefore account for what it described as Ethiopia’s “legitimate interests” and enduring regional role.
At the same time, the ministry sought to frame Ethiopia’s position as one that favours diplomacy rather than confrontation. It called for peaceful engagement, mutual respect and regional cooperation, urging neighbouring countries to address shared challenges through constructive dialogue, partnership and the principles of good neighbourliness.
The statement comes against a rapidly changing security landscape in the Horn of Africa, where Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable access to the sea has become intertwined with wider disputes involving Eritrea, Somalia, Egypt and Sudan.
Ethiopia has been landlocked since Eritrea became independent in 1993 and has relied heavily on neighbouring countries, particularly Djibouti, for access to international maritime trade. Its push for a more diversified and reliable route to the sea has consequently become an increasingly important element of its foreign and economic policy.
One significant diplomatic opening came through the Ankara process with Somalia. In December 2024, Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to pursue mutually beneficial arrangements that would give Ethiopia reliable and sustainable access to and from the sea while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Türkiye facilitated the agreement.
That relationship showed signs of further engagement in June 2026, when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on economic ties, security and regional stability. The two leaders emphasised cooperation based on mutual trust, respect and shared interests.
However, the diplomatic picture has become considerably more difficult elsewhere. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations on October 1 after Addis Ababa closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, accusing Eritrea of hostile activities and involvement in Ethiopia’s internal conflict. Eritrea rejected the accusations and responded by cutting diplomatic ties.
The deterioration has coincided with renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and heightened regional tensions. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan of supporting an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, allegations the countries have denied. The African Union has urged restraint and peaceful dialogue.
Against that backdrop, Egypt hosted the leaders of Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan in a quadrilateral summit in New Alamein on October 4. The four countries pledged greater coordination on regional challenges, reaffirmed respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called for disputes to be resolved peacefully. The summit specifically addressed developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
Ethiopia’s latest statement therefore combines a firm defence of its claimed Red Sea interests with an appeal for diplomacy. While Addis Ababa maintains that geographic and historical realities cannot be changed by political pressure or destabilisation, it says it remains prepared to pursue dialogue and regional cooperation while defending its sovereignty and core national interests.
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