Ethiopia has announced through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it will safeguard its historical and legal rights on the Abay (Blue Nile) River and the Red Sea.
In a statement released today, Monday, September 25, 2019 (Ethiopian Calendar), the Ministry pointed out that the Red Sea is a maritime body intrinsically linked to Ethiopia both geographically and historically. The statement noted that Ethiopia being the primary source of the Abay River, alongside its historical and geographical ties to the Red Sea region, constitutes an undeniable fact.The Ministry emphasized that any regional dialogue must take these fundamental realities into account.
This official response from Ethiopia follows a joint statement issued regarding the Abay River and the Red Sea following a quadrilateral summit hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which brought together Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The joint declaration from the four-nation consultative summit held on September 24, 2019, in Egypt asserted that the right of free navigation for cargo and vessels on the Red Sea must be upheld, and maintained that the administration and regulation of the Red Sea is the sole responsibility and right of littoral states bordering the Red Sea. It also called for compliance with international laws applicable to Transboundary Rivers, including the Abay.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reminded that Ethiopia contributes roughly 85 percent of the total water flow of the Abay River. It stressed that any discussions regarding the utilization and management of the river must be anchored in these fundamental facts.
The Ministry added that, "Although political borders may shift, Ethiopia lies merely about 30 miles away from the Red Sea coastline." Consequently, it argued that any dialogue concerning regional maritime affairs and security architecture must account for Ethiopia's legal interests and enduring ties.
The statement asserted that political maneuvers, coercive measures, destabilizing activities in the region, or proxy provocations cannot diminish Ethiopia's legal rights, regional role, and responsibilities.
Nevertheless, the Ministry reiterated that Ethiopia remains open to peace, dialogue, and regional cooperation, while affirming that the country stands fully prepared to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and vital national interests.
