Abiye Ahmed, the first Ethiopian Oromo Prime Minister, made a bold declaration in a parliamentary joint session, amidst Ethiopian turmoil, bankruptcy, and devastating civil wars. He emphasized the importance of Ethiopia, a landlocked country with a population of 120 million, having a sovereign outlet to the sea. Abiye further asserted that Ethiopia must acquire this outlet by peace or by force, and proposed the idea of building a powerful navy to achieve and consolidate this goal. This declaration sparked controversy and raised questions about the feasibility of such a vision.
In response to Abiye’s declaration, he called upon Ethiopian intellectuals, think tanks, university professors, analysts and diplomats to conduct a feasibility study to actualize his ambitious vision. The resulting 153-page report in Amharic, exposed by Dr. Faisal Robleh, reflected the efforts of the commission tasked with satisfying the Prime Minister’s dreams and ambitions. The document’s claims about Ethiopia owning Somali Ports of Zaila and Berbera before the birth of Jesus Christ were met with skepticism and criticism from media commentators.
Historical evidence contradicts the document’s assertions, as the Ifat and Adal administrations in Zaila, comprised of seven sultanates, were the dominant powers in the region known as Ethiopia today. The Christian kingdom, centered in Tigre and Amhara with Axum as its seat of administration, was referred to as Abasinia. It was only in the 11-12th century that the king of Abasinia ever secured the consent of five inland Muslim Sultanates to accept vasalship-like alliance with the king to allow him invade Adal Sultanate, suffering defeat after three years of struggle. The campaign was fierce and merciless, both sides suffering unbearable losses and destruction.
It was not until the early 19th century when Menelik I conquered and officially annexed the majority of the inland Sultanates, leaving Zaila and Harar unconquered. The assistance of Europeans in providing arms and ammunition played a crucial complicit role in Menelik’s successes, particularly in the later conquest and annexation of Harar. Further complicating the historical narrative, European involvement in the region led to the introduction of gunpowder and weaponry to Ethiopian forces, while actively restricting similar provisions to Somali territories. This strategic move left key Somali regions vulnerable to Ethiopian expansion, including the territories of Hawd, reserve area, and Ogadenia.
While Abiye’s claims regarding Ethiopian ownership of Somali ports before Jesus Christ’s birth are unfounded, they underscore the complex historical relationship between Ethiopia, Somalia, and European powers during the colonial period. The fact that Menelik II corresponded with European leaders in the famous Berlin Conference held to partition Africa, and demanded to be given his portion of the cake as a Christian country surrounded by Muslim countries tells the real story. He unsuccessfuly his own map as targeted possesstions.
In light of these historical complexities, Abiye’s proposals for Ethiopia to acquire a sea outlet by peace or force require careful consideration and expert analysis. His decision to involve a diverse array of Ethiopian stakeholders in a feasibility study reflects an arrogant commitment to exploring all potential avenues for achieving this ambitious goal. However, a critical evaluation of historical facts and geopolitical dynamics, and complex issue with far-reaching implications involving considerations of international law, regional geopolitics, economic feasibility, and potential security risks is essential to shaping a sustainable and ethically sound foreign policy approach for Ethiopia. Whatever the development, Somali peuple need to be alerte and vigilant.
