Addis Ababa (AMECO) – Ethiopian researchers and political figures are advocating a reciprocal diplomatic strategy to secure sea access, framing the maritime debate as an opportunity for regional economic integration rather than political conflict.
Speaking at a symposium titled Ethiopia’s Sea Outlet Issue through Academic Lenses, hosted by the Addis Ababa Leadership Academy, Dr Tassew Gebre, the academy’s president, said securing maritime access must be approached as a mechanism for shared regional growth rather than routine political dispute. He called on academics to generate evidence-based proposals to help policymakers forge mutually beneficial solutions.
Ambassador Dina Mufti, a member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, urged researchers to actively propose diplomatic compromises based on “give-and-take” principles. He called for the public unity demonstrated during the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to be replicated in pursuit of a negotiated maritime agreement, emphasizing that a peaceful resolution is essential for trade, logistics, and regional security.
Panellists at the forum highlighted Ethiopia’s historical ties to the Red Sea, arguing that academic research must guide diplomatic options to secure access through international law and bilateral cooperation.
