Ethiopian PM Abiy Says No Official Record Exists on How Ethiopia Became Landlocked, Links Eritrea Tensions to Pretoria Agreement

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told members of the House of People’s Representatives on Tuesday that there is “no official record or institutional decision” explaining how Ethiopia lost its access to the Red Sea, describing the issue as a “legal, historical, and existential matter” that must be addressed through peaceful dialogue.

Speaking during the second regular session of the parliament’s fifth working year, held on 28 October 2025, Abiy said Ethiopia’s loss of sea access was never decided by the cabinet, parliament, or the public through any legal or consultative process.

“The loss of Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea came after a struggle that lasted more than 30 years — as you all know,” the Prime Minister said. “During those 30 years of conflict, Ethiopia’s loss was gradual and prolonged. However, I do not believe that it will take another 30 years to regain what was lost.”

Addressing the recent rise in tensions with Asmara, Abiy linked the deterioration of relations to developments following the Pretoria Agreement, which ended the two-year war in northern Ethiopia.

“We thought things would change after Pretoria,” Abiy said. “But the Eritreans adopted the position that lasting peace could not be achieved unless the TPLF and Tigray were completely destroyed.”

He added: “After all, they are our own people. We refused to accept the idea of destroying them — we stood firm.”