Peace expert applauds Ethiopia’s role in promoting harmony in HoA
Addis Ababa, December 21, 2024 (FMC) – A peace expert at the Juba University Peace Institute in South Sudan, Assistant Professor Ter Tongyik Majok, stressed the importance of regional cooperation for mutual development while commenting on Ethiopia’s diplomatic approach to securing sea access.
He supported Ethiopia’s pursuit of an alternative port and sea gate to accommodate the growing population and the increasing demands of international trade.
“Ethiopia, a large landlocked country, has a population projected to exceed 150 million by 2050. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure access to essential services, including trade opportunities,” Professor Majok underscored.
He further noted that Ethiopia’s right to trade freely with any nation is aligned with global political principles.
In addition to being the seat of continental and international institutions, Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to contribute to regional peace and stability through economic integration were widely commended.
Majok emphasized the importance of countries collaborating to make regional connectivity a reality, noting that Ethiopia is playing a symbolic role in this effort.
He also highlighted that Ethiopia should recognize and value the practical steps it has taken to strengthen regional peace and achieve development and prosperity.
The professor also emphasized that Ethiopia, with its extensive landlocked territory, faces the challenge of a rapidly growing population. Projections suggest that by 2030, the population may exceed 150 million.
He told ENA that this demographic shift necessitates a crucial role for the government in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the nation, and to achieve this, the government must prioritize the provision of essential services to its citizens.
The professor also emphasized that regional integration and cooperation are crucial for the development of most nations.
Ethiopia has consistently played a pivotal role in fostering harmonious and coexistent relationships among countries in the Horn of Africa, he underscored.