ADDIS ABABA (SD) – Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has said lasting peace in the Horn of Africa will remain elusive as long as Ethiopia remains landlocked.

Speaking in an interview with Ethiopian National Television, Abiy argued that the lack of direct access to a port limits Ethiopia’s economic growth and global competitiveness. He described port access as essential for the country’s long-term development and self-sufficiency.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the impact of global tensions, particularly disruptions in key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such events have serious consequences for countries dependent on external ports. He urged Ethiopians to reduce fuel consumption while the government works on long-term solutions.

Abiy noted that Ethiopia is investing in infrastructure, including railways, roads, and logistics systems, to reduce reliance on neighbouring ports. However, he stressed that a lasting solution would require Ethiopia to secure direct access to the sea through dialogue and regional cooperation.

The remarks come amid ongoing efforts by Ethiopia to explore options for port access, a move that has drawn regional attention due to its potential geopolitical implications.

Abiy Ahmed’s statement reinforces Ethiopia’s long-standing strategic objective of securing sea access, framing it as both an economic necessity and a regional stability issue. While presented as a cooperative goal, the issue is highly sensitive in the Horn of Africa, where access to ports intersects with sovereignty and territorial concerns. Pursuing this objective through dialogue will be critical to avoiding heightened tensions in an already complex region.