Addis Ababa, October 21, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s right to access direct maritime seaport is a legitimate call through legal frameworks to facilitate the country’s overall economic development, a distinguished Congolese law professor at University of Lubumbashi said.
Speaking to local newswire service ENA, Professor Joseph Yav who is also Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) Life-time member & Commercial Law Committee Co-Chair said Ethiopia’s ongoing quest for having access to seaport is acceptable.
Given its geographical, historical, economic backgrounds, Ethiopia has initiated discussions to secure sea outlet based on the principle of mutual benefits and partnership that provide amicable opportunities to strengthen shared development.
Quest for coastal access to sea outlets is essentially considered as a legitimate right to Ethiopia with its sizable economy and population as well as the ever growing import-export trade.
Moreover, the country’s direct coastal access is anticipated to increase physical economic growth of the people in the Horn of Africa, it was learned.
For professor Yav, the ongoing Ethiopia’s endeavor to secure seaport is extremely important to expedite regional economic growth and collaboration with neighboring countries.
According to him, there are pathways to achieve this goal through peaceful negotiations and international legal frameworks.
“Ethiopia deserves access to the seaport like any other nation,” Yav noted, urging for discussions that respect international law and promote shared resources.
Noting that unlocking maritime opportunities lies in cooperation with neighboring nations, the law professor noted that advocating for agreements facilitate access to coastal waters.
Accordingly, Yav underscored Ethiopia’s potential to leverage its membership in the African Union (AU) and foster dialogue on this critical issue.
He further elaborated that existing protocols and treaties could serve as foundations for negotiations aimed at sharing maritime resources, land, and other economic benefits.
“If there is any issue that concerns Ethiopia, we have to discuss that within the framework of the law and also in terms of collaboration and cooperation. It is easier for Ethiopia being the AU member plus others to discuss issues having access to the sea and so on within certain frameworks.
We have protocols; we have treaties that can be put in place to share some passages and so on. I think for me, Ethiopia deserves to have access to the sea; but, peacefully by agreeing with neighboring countries and so on. You do it within the regional economic community and it will be fine.”
He also stressed the need for pursuing a pan-African approach to advocacy to amplify Ethiopia’s voice on the international stage in addition to Ethiopian lawyers.
“If only lawyers from Ethiopia work themselves, they can’t reach a good solution. But being a pan-Africans organization, as lawyers from each African country would Back Ethiopian case in this important question. I think the voice should be heard and it is time to start here and now.”
PALU as it is a Pan African lawyers’ union, he affirmed it will be lobbying and speak for Ethiopia to make the voice be heard and will work to ensure that Ethiopia’s rights and needs are recognized and respected in the quest for sea access.
“PALU, it is a pan African organization of lawyer. As lawyers, we voice the needs of our people. We are in Ethiopia, if there is any issue; then within PALU will do lobbying for Ethiopia and we will speak for Ethiopia. Thus, we will be lobbying for Ethiopia, even drafting some treaties, some protocols for the AU to implement if needed.”
The Congolese law professor finally urged African nations to promote regional collaboration in order to address their challenges. For him, Ethiopia’s aspiration for maritime access needs to be met through diplomacy and mutual agreement.