On Thursday, September 25, 2025, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie delivered a compelling address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, calling for equitable access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean for all nations, regardless of their geographical constraints. Emphasizing the principle of the high seas as the “common heritage of humanity,” Selassie underscored the need for international collaboration to ensure that no state is excluded from the economic and developmental opportunities afforded by these critical maritime regions. His remarks come at a time when Ethiopia, a landlocked nation and Africa’s second most populous country, is navigating complex regional dynamics to secure its strategic and economic interests.
A Call for Maritime Equity
In his speech, President Selassie invoked the well-established maxim of international law that designates the high seas as a shared resource for all of humanity. “The international law maxim that defines the high seas as a common heritage of mankind and guarantees equal right of access and use to all states must be brought to reality in collaboration with other states,” he declared. This statement reflects Ethiopia’s long-standing aspiration to secure reliable access to maritime routes, a priority that has gained urgency since the country became landlocked following Eritrea’s independence in 1991.
Ethiopia’s loss of direct access to the Red Sea and its ports after Eritrea’s secession fundamentally altered the nation’s economic and geopolitical landscape. Prior to 1991, Ethiopia had control over the Red Sea coast, including key ports such as Massawa and Assab. However, Eritrea’s independence left Ethiopia dependent on neighboring countries, particularly Djibouti, for access to international shipping routes. This dependency has posed significant challenges for Ethiopia’s economy, which relies heavily on imports and exports to sustain its rapidly growing population of over 120 million people.
Selassie’s call for equal access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean is not merely a rhetorical flourish but a strategic imperative for Ethiopia. The Red Sea, a vital artery for global trade, connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal, facilitating the movement of goods between Europe, Asia, and Africa. For landlocked nations like Ethiopia, access to these waters is critical for economic development, as it enables participation in global trade networks without the prohibitive costs and logistical hurdles associated with relying on third-party ports.
The president’s remarks echo sentiments expressed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, in August 2025. Guterres emphasized the need to address the unique challenges faced by landlocked nations, which often suffer from higher trade costs and limited access to global markets. By aligning his message with Guterres’ advocacy, Selassie positioned Ethiopia as a leading voice in the global conversation on equitable maritime access, while also signaling the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation.
A Comprehensive Approach to Regional Security and Development
President Selassie outlined Ethiopia’s vision for a “comprehensive approach” to ensuring equitable development and security for all states along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. This approach, he stressed, would be pursued through diplomacy and peaceful engagement, reflecting Ethiopia’s desire to avoid confrontation in a region marked by competing interests and geopolitical tensions. The Red Sea and Indian Ocean are strategically significant not only for African nations but also for global powers, including the United States, China, and Gulf states, which maintain military and economic interests in the region.
Ethiopia’s emphasis on maritime security is particularly noteworthy given the threats posed by piracy, smuggling, and geopolitical rivalries in the Red Sea. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow chokepoint between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world’s most critical maritime passages, with an estimated 10% of global trade passing through it annually. Ensuring the safety of navigation in this region is a priority for Ethiopia, which relies on secure shipping lanes for its imports of fuel, food, and industrial goods, as well as its exports of coffee, flowers, and other commodities.
Selassie’s speech also highlighted Ethiopia’s broader commitment to regional integration and cooperation. As a founding member of the African Union and a key player in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has long sought to promote stability and economic development in a region plagued by conflict, poverty, and environmental challenges. By advocating for a collaborative approach to maritime access, Ethiopia aims to foster partnerships with neighboring countries, including Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea, while also engaging with international stakeholders to address shared challenges.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: A Symbol of Progress and Controversy
A significant portion of President Selassie’s address was devoted to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a monumental infrastructure project that has become a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s development agenda. On September 9, 2025, Ethiopia officially inaugurated the nearly $5 billion dam, marking the completion of over a decade of construction on the Blue Nile. With a capacity to generate 6,450 megawatts of electricity, the GERD is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and a source of immense national pride for Ethiopia.
The dam is expected to transform Ethiopia’s economy by providing a reliable source of electricity, reducing energy poverty, and enabling the country to export power to neighboring states. It is also seen as a critical tool for enhancing regional connectivity, as it supports Ethiopia’s ambition to become a hub for energy production and distribution in East Africa. By harnessing the waters of the Blue Nile, which accounts for approximately 85% of the Nile River’s flow, Ethiopia aims to address chronic energy shortages and drive industrialization, thereby reducing its reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
However, the GERD has been a source of contention with downstream neighbors Egypt and Sudan, both of which rely heavily on the Nile for water and agriculture. Egypt, in particular, views the dam as an existential threat, arguing that it could reduce the flow of water to its population of over 100 million, most of whom live along the Nile. Sudan, while less vocal, has expressed concerns about the dam’s impact on its own water security and agricultural productivity. Both countries have insisted that Ethiopia should not have filled and begun operating the dam without a legally binding water-sharing agreement.
The absence of such an agreement has fueled tensions in the Nile Basin, with Egypt and Sudan accusing Ethiopia of unilateralism. Despite receiving official invitations from Ethiopia, neither country attended the GERD’s inauguration ceremony, underscoring the depth of the diplomatic rift. In his UN address, President Selassie sought to downplay these tensions, emphasizing the “overwhelming support and solidarity” Ethiopia received during the inauguration. He argued that the dam’s completion should serve as a catalyst for greater cooperation among the Nile Basin countries, fostering a spirit of mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Pan-African Aspirations and the Quest for Development
Selassie’s speech was imbued with a strong sense of Pan-Africanism, as he called for African nations to unite in their pursuit of “true independence” and break the “vicious cycle of underdevelopment.” He framed the GERD as a symbol of African agency, demonstrating what the continent can achieve when it harnesses its resources and collective will. “The time is now to work towards Africa’s true independence, driven by African agency and guided by the common destiny of our people,” he declared, invoking a vision of a continent that is self-reliant and globally competitive.
This message resonates deeply in a region where historical legacies of colonialism, coupled with ongoing challenges such as poverty, conflict, and climate change, have hindered development. Ethiopia’s leadership in completing the GERD, despite financial and diplomatic obstacles, serves as a powerful example of what African nations can accomplish through determination and innovation. The dam, funded entirely by Ethiopia without external loans, is a testament to the country’s commitment to self-reliance and its rejection of dependency on foreign aid.
Selassie’s emphasis on African agency also reflects Ethiopia’s broader foreign policy objectives. Under his leadership, Ethiopia has sought to position itself as a regional powerhouse, leveraging its demographic weight, historical significance, and strategic location to influence continental and global affairs. The country’s role as the host of the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa further amplifies its voice in African diplomacy, allowing it to advocate for policies that prioritize the continent’s collective interests.
Geopolitical Context: Ethiopia’s Maritime Ambitions
Ethiopia’s push for equitable maritime access must be understood in the context of its historical and geopolitical realities. The loss of Eritrea in 1991 was a significant blow to Ethiopia’s strategic interests, as it severed the country’s direct access to the Red Sea and forced it to rely on Djibouti’s port for over 95% of its trade. This dependency has come at a high cost, with Ethiopia paying substantial port fees and facing logistical challenges that have constrained its economic growth.
In recent years, Ethiopia has sought to diversify its maritime access by exploring agreements with other neighbors, including Somalia and Eritrea. In 2018, Ethiopia signed a peace agreement with Eritrea, ending a decades-long conflict and raising hopes for renewed cooperation on port access. However, progress has been slow, and Ethiopia continues to face challenges in securing reliable and cost-effective access to the sea.
Selassie’s call for equal access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean also reflects Ethiopia’s desire to assert its influence in a region that is increasingly contested by global powers. The Horn of Africa has become a focal point for geopolitical competition, with countries such as China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates establishing military bases and investing in infrastructure projects. By advocating for a collaborative approach to maritime security, Ethiopia aims to position itself as a stabilizing force in the region, capable of balancing the interests of regional and global actors.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While President Selassie’s vision for equitable maritime access and regional cooperation is ambitious, it faces significant challenges. The ongoing dispute over the GERD remains a major obstacle to Ethiopia’s relations with Egypt and Sudan, both of which have sought international mediation to resolve the issue. The lack of a legally binding water-sharing agreement continues to fuel mistrust, and any escalation in tensions could undermine Ethiopia’s broader diplomatic efforts.
Moreover, Ethiopia’s push for maritime access will require delicate negotiations with its neighbors, particularly Eritrea, which has historically been wary of Ethiopia’s intentions. The fragile peace between the two countries, while a positive development, remains vulnerable to political and security challenges. Ethiopia’s reliance on Djibouti for port access also complicates its efforts to diversify its maritime options, as Djibouti has leveraged its strategic position to extract significant economic benefits from Ethiopia.
Despite these challenges, Ethiopia’s leadership sees significant opportunities in its pursuit of maritime and developmental goals. The successful completion of the GERD demonstrates the country’s capacity to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects, which could serve as a model for other African nations. By promoting regional connectivity through energy exports and trade, Ethiopia has the potential to drive economic integration in the Horn of Africa, fostering stability and prosperity.
Conclusion
President Taye Atske Selassie’s address to the United Nations General Assembly was a bold articulation of Ethiopia’s vision for a more equitable and cooperative regional order. By advocating for equal access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, Selassie underscored the importance of maritime rights for landlocked nations and positioned Ethiopia as a leader in the fight for economic justice. His emphasis on the GERD as a symbol of African agency and regional connectivity further highlighted Ethiopia’s ambition to transform its economy and influence the broader continent.
As Ethiopia navigates the complex geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, it will need to balance its national interests with the imperative of regional cooperation. The success of its diplomatic efforts will depend on its ability to build trust with its neighbors, particularly Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea, while also engaging with international partners to address shared challenges. For now, Selassie’s speech serves as a clarion call for a new era of African unity and self-determination, driven by the collective aspiration to overcome the barriers of geography and history.