Re: Upholding the Principles of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity in the Horn of Africa
Dear Prime Minister,
I write to you with deep concern regarding recent reports suggesting that your government is entertaining the idea of taking control of the Eritrean port of Assab by force in an effort to resolve Ethiopia’s landlocked situation. Such utterances, whether formally or informally presented, contradict the fundamental principles of international law and regional stability.
The principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), an institution headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter explicitly prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Similarly, Article 4 of the AU Constitutive Act upholds the principles of respect for borders inherited at independence and for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Eritrea gained its independence in May 1993, and is a sovereign state. The Eritrean people fought for thirty years and paid a very high price to liberate the entirety of Eritrea, from Ethiopian occupation. Their sacrifices must be respected, and any attempt to undermine Eritrea’s hard-won sovereignty is totally unacceptable. There are many landlocked countries in the world that do not have direct access to the sea, yet they rely on diplomacy and trade agreements to facilitate access. Ethiopia’s approach should be no different. Instead of seeking permanent ownership of the port city of Assab, Ethiopia should explore cooperative and lawful means to ensure access to port facilities in Djibouti, Somalia, Somaliland, and Kenya, and all would be amenable, except Eritrea, because the two countries were at war.
The historical context between Ethiopia and Eritrea cannot be ignored. In 2018, peace was declared between Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and yourself, culminating in a Nobel Peace Prize for your role in ending hostilities.
Despite the initial optimism, the Ethiopia-Eritrea border was soon closed, and relations became strained. Moreover, Ethiopia invited Eritrea to join its war against Tigray, leading to grave crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by both nations. Now, two years after this devastating conflict, Ethiopia’s focus has shifted to acquiring a port, not merely negotiating access but seeking permanent ownership of Eritrean territory. This shift raises serious concerns about Ethiopia’s commitment to regional peace stability and international law.
Furthermore, Ethiopia is currently embroiled in civil wars on two fronts, in the Amhara and Oromia regions, while still recovering from the devastating two-year war with Tigray. Instead of focusing on ending internal conflicts and fostering peace within its own borders, why is Ethiopia now seeking to initiate another external war with Eritrea to aggressively obtain a port that does not belong to it? Prioritizing peace, stability, and economic development through lawful agreements should have taken precedence over escalating tensions and war.
Additionally, why are you giving false hope to the Ethiopian people by claiming that you will secure Ethiopia’s ownership of access to the sea? You are using the idea of access to the sea as a unifying rhetoric to rally national sentiment, which is unacceptable. Misleading the Ethiopian people with unattainable promises does not address the country’s real economic and political challenges. Instead of stirring nationalist emotions, the focus should have been on sustainable development, economic partnerships, and fostering peaceful regional cooperation.
Ethiopia and Eritrea must find diplomatic, legal, and mutually beneficial solutions that respect each other’s sovereignty while addressing their economic needs. Any attempt to seize Eritrean territory by force would not only violate international norms but also endanger peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
I urge your government to reaffirm its commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation. Ethiopia’s leadership in Africa should be guided by principles of peace, respect for sovereignty, and mutual prosperity.
Respectfully yours,
Elizabeth Chyrum
Director
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
