Vantage | Is Ethiopia's Nobel laureate president stoking another war?

Ethiopia, a landlocked East African country with a population of approximately 120 million people, recently marked one year since the end of a civil war that ravaged the nation. While the conclusion of the conflict in the Tigray region brought a semblance of peace, Ethiopia has remained far from stable. A history of unrest Ethiopia’s recent history has been marked by internal and external conflicts. The civil war between the Ethiopian military and local militias in the Tigray region ended a year ago, but a new conflict has erupted in the Amhara region, pitting Abiy Ahmed’s forces against local militias. Furthermore, the country has faced devastating floods resulting in casualties and mass displacement. This ongoing turmoil paints a grim picture of the nation’s stability. Abiy Ahmed’s port access ambitions One of the root causes of President Abiy Ahmed’s discontent is Ethiopia’s landlocked status. As one of the most densely populated landlocked nations globally, Ahmed believes that this geographical limitation negatively impacts the country’s economy. To address this issue, he has been advocating for access to a port. Quest for a port President Ahmed’s solution to Ethiopia’s landlocked situation is to secure a port from a neighbouring country. While he has not issued an open threat, Ahmed has made his intentions clear, suggesting that force may be used if necessary. He has publicly discussed this matter in speeches and forums underlining his determination to achieve his goal. Eritrea’s concerns Ethiopia’s pursuit of port access has alarmed its seafaring neighbours with Eritrea being particularly concerned. Eritrea was once part of Ethiopia, gaining independence in 1993 after a long and bloody history. The border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia ended shortly after Abiy Ahmed came to power for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. It is ironic that now Ahmed is pressuring Eritrea for port access hinting at the possibility of conflict should his request be denied. Abiy Ahmed justifies Ethiopia’s claim to port access based on historical, geographical, ethnic and economic grounds. He cites the country’s historical control of the Horn of Africa region and the 19th-century assertion that the Red Sea is Ethiopia’s natural boundary. He also emphasizes the economic aspect pointing to the United Nations’ studies, which indicate that landlocked countries suffer a 20 per cent reduction in GDP due to the lack of sea access. Economic arguments and war While there is merit in the economic arguments put forth by Abiy Ahmed, the pursuit of port access, especially through the threat of force, raises significant concerns. Ethiopia is currently grappling with ongoing internal conflicts that have resulted in substantial loss of life and resources. Engaging in another military endeavour could have dire consequences for the nation’s stability and its people. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.