By Enyichukwu Enemanna
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday visited Ethiopia, where he expressed his country’s support for Addis Ababa’s quest to access the Red Sea through discussions that respect international laws and neighbouring countries.
He said France is interested in facilitating responsible sea access through talks, recognising international laws and respecting neighbouring nations.
Macron spoke after a one-day visit to Addis Ababa, where he held bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
At a joint news conference, Macron welcomed the Ankara Declaration reached by Ethiopia and Somalia on December 11.
Abiy, in a social media post, said the two leaders thoroughly discussed Ethiopia’s pursuit of peaceful access to the Red Sea.
He noted that the French President accepted Ethiopia’s request for support in its quest for sea access through international law, peacefully and diplomatically. Ethiopia is also aiming to construct a port in the region.
“The ties between our two nations continue to be strengthened, and I look forward to our discussions during his stay in Ethiopia,” Abiy said of Macron in a post on X.
The December 11 declaration between Ethiopia and Somalia, brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as adherence to international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
The two sides also agreed to commence “technical negotiations” by February on Ethiopia’s sea access, with Turkey facilitating. The negotiations are expected to be “concluded and signed” within four months.
The breakthrough followed a yearlong dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, which began on January 1 when Somaliland’s former President Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopia’s Abiy signed a memorandum of understanding to lease 20 kilometres of Somaliland’s seafront to Ethiopia for 50 years in exchange for recognition as an independent nation.
The Somali government rejected the deal, accusing Ethiopia of a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On Saturday, President Macron reiterated France’s readiness to support Ethiopia’s legitimate quest for sea access, while emphasising the need to adhere to international law.
