Ethiopia is determined to achieve sea access, challenging neighboring nations including Egypt and Eritrea. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula emphasized the urgency and legitimacy of this quest, amid technical discussions with Somalia. A tripartite alliance between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia opposes Ethiopian involvement in the Red Sea region. Recent agreements with Somaliland for access have also drawn criticism from Somalia, highlighting ongoing tensions.
Ethiopia is actively pursuing access to the sea despite existing tensions with neighboring nations, as stated by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the leader of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). He emphasized that the absence of sea access is “unjust,” asserting that Ethiopia’s quest for such access is now acknowledged as legitimate by the international community. Speaking during the 129th anniversary of the Adowa Victory, he claimed, “It is only a matter of time before we become a member of the Red Sea community.”
Amidst ongoing technical discussions with Somalia regarding this sea access, Field Marshal Jula affirmed that Ethiopia is not merely preparing for minor conflicts but is strategically positioning itself to defend against external threats. He reinforced Ethiopia’s dedication to achieving its national interests peacefully, stating, “We are building an army that not only defends against aggression but also deters the enemy.”
In reaction to Ethiopia’s aspirations, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty and Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki have firmly rejected any participation by non-littoral nations in the Red Sea’s security and governance. This alignment between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, following their recent summit, underscores their collective stance against perceived Ethiopian encroachments.
During a joint press conference, Abdel-Atty reiterated this stance, asserting that the presence of military or naval forces from outside the Red Sea would not be tolerated. This reaction emphasizes the tripartite alliance’s commitment to maintaining Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against external influences.
Ethiopia’s negotiations with Somaliland for a 20-kilometer corridor to the Red Sea, in exchange for the recognition of Somaliland’s sovereignty, faced pushback from Somalia. The latter has called for international intervention to halt such dealings. However, Turkey has stepped in to facilitate dialogues between the conflicting parties, demonstrating diplomatic efforts to mitigate regional tensions.
In summary, Ethiopia is resolutely seeking sea access, a move that has sparked regional tensions particularly with Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia. The Ethiopian government insists on its right to this access, while neighboring countries have united to oppose non-littoral nations’ involvement in the Red Sea. As diplomatic dialogues continue, the situation remains precarious, with international interventions playing a critical role in resolving conflicts in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
