ADDIS ABABA — The veteran diplomat and international relations scholar emphasized that Ethiopia's long-standing quest for sea access could significantly expedite regional integration within the Horn of Africa.
According to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), a veteran diplomat, Ambassador Tiruneh Zena, underscored Ethiopia’s consistent advocacy for maritime access and highlighted the mutual benefits this pursuit holds for regional cooperation.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had articulated that Ethiopia’s aspirations for a sea outlet are anchored in reciprocal arrangements and mutual interests with adjacent nations, aligning with the country's East African foreign policy.
Ambassador Zena elaborated that Ethiopia’s approach, embedded in modern diplomatic give-and-take practices, would respect the sovereignty and interests of neighboring states through constructive dialogue and consensus for shared prosperity.
The ambassador also underlined that such diplomatic efforts are crucial for reinforcing regional unity and pointed out that cooperation is essential for Ethiopia to acquire port facilities that would complement its burgeoning economic growth.
Echoing this sentiment, Sadiq Adem, a member of the House of People's Representatives and a scholar of international law, affirmed that Ethiopia’s maritime access initiative is congruent with international statutes, noting that various landlocked nations have attained sea access in accordance with global legal frameworks.
He also referred to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which affirms the rights of landlocked countries to utilize ports and marine resources in other states, framing Ethiopia’s quest in the context of international legality and its commitment to collective regional advancement.