Ethiopia Reasserts Nile and Red Sea Interests Amid Regional Tensions

Ethiopia has reaffirmed its interests in the Nile and Red Sea, saying geography and history give it a legitimate stake in the management of the Abay River and the region’s maritime affairs.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Addis Ababa said virtually all of the Blue Nile originates in the Ethiopian highlands and that the Abay contributes about 85 percent of the Nile River’s total flow.

The ministry said any discussion over the use and management of the river should take these geographic realities into account.

Ethiopia also linked its regional interests to the Red Sea, saying it maintains geographical and historical ties to the maritime corridor despite changes in political boundaries.

The ministry said Ethiopia’s nearest border is about 30 miles from the Red Sea coast and argued that regional discussions on maritime affairs and security should therefore take its interests into consideration.

The statement comes as access to the Red Sea remains a strategic issue for Ethiopia, a landlocked country since Eritrea’s independence in 1993. The government has in recent years sought maritime access through negotiations with neighbouring coastal states, arguing that reliable access is important for trade and economic development.

Ethiopia’s latest statement did not identify a specific country or incident. Instead, it warned that political rhetoric, coercive measures, proxy actions or aggression would not alter what it described as the country’s legitimate regional interests.

The ministry said Addis Ababa would continue to pursue peaceful engagement, mutual respect and regional cooperation while defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.

It called on regional countries to address shared challenges through dialogue and partnership, rejecting confrontation and zero-sum approaches.

The statement places Ethiopia’s water and maritime interests within the same regional framework, linking its position as an upstream Nile country with its longstanding claims of a strategic connection to the Red Sea.

Source: FSX Business News