US backs Ethiopia’s bid for maritime access, envoy says

By Sadik Kedir Abdu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Washington supports Ethiopia’s pursuit of maritime access through diplomatic and peaceful avenues, US Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga said, calling the issue critical to the country’s economic future.

For a nation of Ethiopia’s scale -- with an expanding economy and ambitious growth projections, access to maritime trade is of vital importance, Massinga told the state-owned Ethiopian News Agency.

“Strengthening maritime access through commercial, diplomatic, and peaceful avenues is a fundamental priority -- one that the United States government and my embassy are fully committed to supporting,” he added.

Massinga said the US is committed to work alongside Ethiopia in ensuring stability across the Horn of Africa.

In January 2024, landlocked Ethiopia signed a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to use the Red Sea port of Berbera in exchange for diplomatic recognition.

The move enraged Somalia, which termed the deal a violation of its sovereignty.

Türkiye worked to ease tensions, with Somalia and Ethiopia agreeing on the Ankara Declaration in December to resolve their dispute.

They agreed to closely work together to finalize commercial arrangements through bilateral agreements, including contract, lease, and similar modalities, which will allow Ethiopia to enjoy access to and from the sea, under the sovereign authority of Somalia.

The declaration was supported by the US.​​​​​​