The Ethiopian state apparatus continues its provocations against neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa region by attempting to reach a port on the Red Sea in violation of international law.

Recently, the head of the Ethiopian government's parliamentary bloc, Dr. Tesfaye Beleji, claimed that Ethiopia's pursuit of a seaport is a fundamental national interest and an existential issue that determines its economic sovereignty.

He added, according to the Ethiopian News Agency, that Ethiopia’s pursuit of a seaport is based on solid and rational foundations, without any mention of international law.

In his unlawful claims, he pointed out that Ethiopia’s connection to the Red Sea coast is deeply rooted in the history of the state’s formation and nation-building.

He noted that since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed publicly raised Ethiopia’s ambition to acquire a seaport, the House of Peoples’ Representatives has been undertaking intensive public diplomacy activities and direct communication with the people on this issue.

Ethiopia continues its attempts to escape its internal crises by accusing Egypt of trying to obstruct its efforts to gain access to the Red Sea, in the latest episode of escalating tension between the two countries over complex regional issues including the security of the Horn of Africa and the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Ethiopian claims regarding the Red Sea are escalating and becoming increasingly frequent.

Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nebat Getachew Asged claimed during a press conference the day before yesterday that his country will continue to seek maritime access through peaceful and sustainable means, claiming that Ethiopia’s status as a landlocked country cannot continue indefinitely.

The Ethiopian official added that what he described as Egypt’s moves in the region aim to encircle and obstruct Addis Ababa’s efforts to gain a sea outlet, while Cairo maintains its diplomatic composure by not responding to the Ethiopian claims.

In recent years, according to US reports, Ethiopia has intensified its diplomatic and regional efforts to find alternatives to access seaports, given its heavy reliance on Djibouti's ports for foreign trade.