Ethiopia: Ethiopia to Reassert Regional Influence, Secure Sea Access, Says PM Abiy

What the report says

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed used an address to parliament in Addis Ababa to set out his government’s priorities for the new term, saying Ethiopia intends to defend its national interests, deepen its regional role and pursue reliable access to the sea. The remarks came after the launch of the Medemer Government under the country’s seventh parliamentary term, according to the Ethiopian News Agency as republished by AllAfrica.

Abiy said the government views maritime access as tied to Ethiopia’s long-term development and said it would seek a gateway to the Red Sea through dialogue and mutually beneficial arrangements. He also framed the country as having weathered recent domestic and external pressures while continuing major national projects. The address highlighted recent gains in agriculture, infrastructure and water development, including expansion of domestic wheat production and ongoing large-scale corridor and dam-related projects.

For the coming term, the prime minister said his administration plans to push constitutional updates through the national dialogue process, keep political competition open, and work with opposition parties. He also pointed to continued macroeconomic reforms, tighter oversight of public spending, civil service changes and stronger anti-corruption measures. In broader regional terms, Abiy said Ethiopia will seek cooperative ties with neighbors based on shared interests while continuing efforts to secure sea access. The speech signals that maritime policy, economic reform and institutional change remain central to the government’s agenda.