Trending Now - Ethiopia's Abiy Seeks Eritrean Seaport Amid Conflict Concerns

WHO:

Abiy Ahmed: Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Isaias Afwerki: President of Eritrea

Kjetil Tronvoll: Professor of peace and conflict studies at Oslo New University College

António Guterres: United Nations Secretary-General

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF): Group administering the Tigray region

Yemane Gebremeskel: Eritrean government spokesman

WHAT:

Abiy staged a military parade of Ethiopia’s special forces in southern Ethiopia on February 26, 2026.

A banner at the parade proclaimed, “Ethiopia would not remain landlocked whether ‘you like it or not.’”

Ethiopia incurs high trade fees of $1.5 billion per year for using the port of Djibouti.

Abiy sought a controversial deal for sea access with Somaliland two years ago, which angered Somalia.

Ethiopia’s military and its allies, including Eritrea, fought against the TPLF in a civil war that ended with a peace agreement in 2022.

The International Crisis Group warned of a potential new regional war without international intervention.

Eritrea accused Ethiopia of having a “long-brewing war agenda” to seize the port of Assab.

WHERE:

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy's country

Eritrea: Neighboring country with the port of Assab

Djibouti: Current port for most of Ethiopia’s trade

Hawassa: Location of the military parade

Tigray: Northern Ethiopian region involved in conflict

WHEN:

February 26, 2026: Date of the military parade

1993: Year Eritrea broke away from Ethiopia

2018: Year Abiy rose to power

2019: Year Abiy won the Nobel Peace Prize

2022: Year the civil war ended with a peace agreement

WHY:

Abiy aims to restore Ethiopia’s access to the sea to enhance trade and reduce costs.

The military buildup along the Eritrean border is a response to Abiy’s ambitions regarding Assab.

Tensions with Eritrea stem from historical conflicts and current territorial disputes.

HOW:

Abiy demonstrated military maneuvers during the parade to signal intentions to Eritrea.

The Ethiopian government claims Eritrea is preparing for war, while Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of provocations.

Abiy's theory of “medemer” emphasizes unity and progress in Ethiopia’s development plans.

On February 26, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia held a military parade in Hawassa, showcasing the country's special forces and displaying a banner that boldly declared, “Ethiopia would not remain landlocked whether ‘you like it or not.’” This event comes amid rising tensions with Eritrea, as both nations grapple with historical conflicts and territorial disputes, particularly over access to the port of Assab, which Ethiopia seeks to regain to reduce its $1.5 billion annual trade costs associated with using the port of Djibouti. The International Crisis Group has warned that without international intervention, the situation could escalate into a new regional war, as Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of harboring a long-standing agenda to seize the port.