AAU convenes seminar on “Equitable Access to Sea Port in East Africa for Sustainable Peace, Dev’t”

Addis Ababa, November 17, 2023 (FBC) – Distinguished Ethiopian scholars from Addis Ababa University and other institutions are discussing the need for changing the status quo regarding equitable access to seaports in the East African region with a view to ensuring sustainable peace and shared development.

The seminar that attracted water scholars from the University and other experts from across Ethiopia kicked off this morning at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in the University.

According to ENA, the seminar is underling the need to rethinking about the utilization of ports in the greater horn of Africa to promote sustainable peace and prosperity.

In his opening speech, Addis Ababa University President, Dr. Samuel Kifle said as the Horn of Africa is situated in the geopolitically strategic part of the world, the region should utilize its resource mutually including seaports.

Landlocked Ethiopia, a population of 120 million, is seeking a reliable seaport to ensure its national interest based on the principle of give and take, mutual benefit and accelerating regional integration.

In his response to questions, by the members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) this week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Ethiopia does not contest the sovereignty of coastal countries.

“What we have been trying to point out is to let them share our prestigious Airlines in Africa so that they would give us access to the sea in return.  We have also built the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which is the biggest in Africa. Let’s share this dam too so that we can get the sea port. We have been saying is let’s grow together since all of us are facing economic challenges,” the premier reiterated.