Former PM Hailemariam Defends Ethiopia's Pursuit of Sea Access

Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn stated in an exclusive interview with ENA that Ethiopia's pursuit of sea access is a rational objective that should be resolved peacefully through mutually beneficial arrangements. Arguing that the country's lack of maritime access is a historical scar from the 1880s, he emphasized that for a nation of 130 million, this issue must be addressed to prevent passing the challenge to future generations.

Hailemariam urged neighboring nations to view Ethiopia's aspirations as a catalyst for joint regional development rather than a threat. He compared the current opposition to Ethiopia's maritime goals with the previous regional resistance to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), suggesting that unfounded fears should be replaced by realistic discussions focused on shared economic stability.