Ethiopia's Abiy denies expansionist aims, defends Nile development and sea access

2026-02-16 - 09:15

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered a dual message of reassurance and resolve Monday, affirming his country's commitment to regional stability while defending its pursuit of maritime access and Nile water development as existential priorities. In an exceptional pre-Ramadan message written in Arabic, Abiy declared: "We affirm to the entire world that Ethiopia harbors no geographic ambitions, has no expansionist intentions, and does not seek to threaten the security of our neighbors." Sea Access and Nile Development Framework Abiy characterized Ethiopia's effort to secure reliable sea access as a "vital existential necessity" driven by population growth and development requirements for Africa's most populous landlocked nation. He emphasized this pursuit represents an "invitation to partnership" that "does not infringe upon the sovereignty of neighbors nor harm the interests of others." Addressing tensions over Nile waters, the prime minister insisted Ethiopia's development through water resources "does not mean diminishing anyone's share," describing the river as a shared gift meant to foster cooperation rather than conflict. GERD Context and Regional Dynamics The nearly $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile has become operational, generating electricity central to Ethiopia's development strategy for its 120 million citizens. Downstream nations Egypt and Sudan have consistently raised water security concerns. Abiy has intensified advocacy for sea access in recent months, including remarks at the 39th African Union Assembly framing it as "economic and demographic necessity" requiring treatment as "a matter of regional prosperity" rather than territorial ambition. The statements seek to reassure neighbors while advancing Ethiopia's core national interests.