Major General Gemechu was appointed as the director of the Directorate General of Foreign Relations and Military Cooperation at the Ministry of Defence, emphasizing Ethiopia's determination to utilize the Red Sea, particularly Asseb Port.

He said that access to the sea gate is a historical right and a matter of survival.

"We are asking for a sea gate; we are not just standing up from the ground," said the Major General, who mentioned that there are four main reasons. These are: He said Ethiopia's historical ties with Asab, international laws regarding geographical proximity, existential questions, and security concerns.

The Major General, who warned of the possibility of sea-launched missile attacks threatening Ethiopian cities, including Addis Ababa, underlined the importance of having a military force at sea for the sake of national security. He also mentioned that Ethiopia wants to address the issue through diplomatic means.

The Eritrean government has repeatedly raised objections to this request for access to the port as a planned strategy to invade Eritrea.