Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has once again made a strong case for his country’s need for a sea route, this time turning it into a debate about national security and data sovereignty.
In a speech on state television and an interview with ETV, he said that relying on other countries makes Ethiopia vulnerable and does not fully control its communications, trade and national data.
Abiy stressed that Ethiopia’s landlocked status affects state secrecy and the smooth flow of trade, noting that goods entering and leaving the country must pass through systems controlled by other countries. This, he said, means that information and trade can be easily viewed or intercepted.
The prime minister’s remarks mark a significant shift in his approach to the issue, as he previously focused on economic aspects such as transportation costs and market competition. Now, he is clearly linking the maritime issue to ideas of control, security and national sovereignty.
However, this new vision has not been fully reflected within the country. While there is a general understanding of the need for a sea route, there are differences over how it can be achieved and what is acceptable in any agreement. Abiy himself acknowledged that some in the public are hesitant about this.
The debate is heating up as Tsadkan Gebretensae, a former Ethiopian army chief, recalled the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the late 1990s. He said that Ethiopia had superior military power at the time but did not translate it into political success, noting that issues related to Assab Port were too sensitive to discuss openly at the time.
Analysts warn that the issue cannot be resolved solely through military means, pointing to the Algiers Agreement, which established a legal framework for resolving disputes between Ethiopia and Eritrea, based on the return to the old borders and international mediation.
