SWIMMING AGAINST THE CURRENT: ETHIOPIA’S QUEST FOR ACCESS TO THE RED SEA UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
Abstract:
In October 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali declared access to the Red Sea is “an existential matter” for Ethiopia, reigniting the longstanding dispute with Eritrea over the Assab Red Sea coastal areas. This Article addresses the need for a peaceful resolution of this dispute while scrutinizing the legitimacy of Ethiopia’s claim for access to the Red Sea within the framework of international law. Contrary to the prevailing view among Ethiopian scholars, the Article argues that Ethiopia lacks a legitimate ownership claim over Assab or any parts of the Red Sea. However, it argues that Ethiopia, as a landlocked country, is entitled to free access to the Red Sea under the UN Convention on the Law of Sea. Moreover, considering the potential ramifications of defying international law, the Article urges both Ethiopia and Eritrea to think beyond narrowly conceived national interests and foster mutual benefit through cooperation and regional integration.
Recommended Citation: Mahemud Eshtu Tekuya, Swimming Against the Current: Ethiopia's Quest for Access to the Red Sea Under International Law, 47 Fordham Int'l L.J. 301 (2024).