Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has renewed calls for deeper regional integration and peaceful negotiations to secure Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea, which he described as essential to the country’s long-term survival and development.

Prime Minister Abiy made the remarks while presenting his government’s mid-term performance report to the House of Peoples’ Representatives, followed by a question-and-answer session with members of parliament.

Speaking on regional diplomacy, Abiy said the Horn of Africa is bound by shared culture, language, and history but remains divided by external interference and competing interests.

He stressed that neighboring countries should act as partners rather than rivals, noting that communities across Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya are naturally interconnected.

“Our region is inseparable,” he said, urging countries to prioritize cooperation over outside agendas.

On Ethiopia’s quest for maritime access, the Prime Minister framed the issue as one of national security and economic necessity. Ethiopia was rendered landlocked in 1993 after the cessation of Eritrea, through a mysterious and shady deals that gives the port of Assab to Eritrea without the consent of the rightful owners, Ethiopians.

While the need to get Assab back simmered over the decades, formal reclamation request came only last year after an impassioned plea was made by the reform-minded Prime Minister last year for the world to listen to the voice of justice.

Even so, with a population of 130 million, Ethiopia is seeking negotiated access to a small stretch of coastline through peaceful means rather than conflict.

He proposed give-and-take solutions, including offering stakes in major national assets such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) or Ethiopian Airlines, or lease agreements or even land swaps. “We are not asking to take by force,” Abiy said. “This can be resolved through business principles, peace, and dialogue.”

Abiy also emphasized regional interdependence, noting that Ethiopia shares vital water resources with downstream neighbors and has never sought to block them. In return, he called for fair access to maritime trade routes.

He warned that instability in Ethiopia would affect the entire region, while a prosperous Ethiopia could uplift its neighbors.

The Prime Minister said discussions with international leaders show growing recognition of Ethiopia’s concerns, adding that the government remains patient and committed to a peaceful solution. “We will solve this with wisdom and negotiation,” he said, “without loss of life.”