Addis Ababa:Ethiopia's former Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Abadula Gemeda, stated that no entity can prevent the country from securing access to the sea.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Abadula highlighted that Ethiopia's loss of its maritime outlet was a result of decisions made by a small group without broader national consultation. He emphasized that these decisions lacked adequate national discussion or formal legal deliberation.
Abadula argued that Ethiopia's historical adversaries have long sought to block the country from obtaining sea access, using various strategies including supporting internal forces. He accused Egypt of supporting movements like the Eritrean Shabia and the TPLF, which he claims contributed to decisions undermining Ethiopia's national interests.
He questioned the process through which Ethiopia lost its maritime outlet, criticizing the absence of sufficient national debate and formal legal deliberation at the time. Abadula also challenged the constitutional authority of the transitional government to make such significant decisions before the adoption of the Constitution.
Despite these past setbacks, Abadula expressed admiration for the current government's efforts to regain sea access through peaceful negotiations. He affirmed that Ethiopia's pursuit of maritime access is a crucial national issue that cannot be neglected, asserting, "It is impossible to keep Ethiopia cut off from the sea."
