France expresses support for Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts to secure sea access

The French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Alexis Lamek, has stated that Ethiopia’s efforts to diversify its sea port options are “completely legitimate.” The Ambassador described the country’s desire for sea access as a fitting and reasonable aspiration for the world’s most populous landlocked nation.
In a briefing given in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Lamek recalled the official stance expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron during his official visit to Ethiopia nearly a year and a half ago. The Ambassador reaffirmed that the question of sea access remains a “legitimate demand” that still requires an answer for this East African nation.
“It is completely legitimate for Ethiopia to want to diversify its sea port options,” Ambassador Lamek said, pointing out that this reflects the unique economic and geopolitical challenges Ethiopia faces due to its massive population and geographical position.
For Ethiopia, the desire to find a reliable gateway to the Red Sea is not just a modern political agenda; it is deeply intertwined with the country’s historical heritage, ancient civilization, and state formation. As regional analysts and historians frequently point out, securing reliable sea access is fundamentally linked to Ethiopia’s long-term national security and its grand macro-economic growth plans.
Based on this profound geographical and historical context, Ethiopia has initiated active diplomatic dialogues within the region. The country’s strategy is to secure sea access based on frameworks of mutual benefit and partnership, aiming to foster shared economic development with neighboring coastal nations. This ongoing effort is a generational aspiration that Ethiopia has been pursuing through recognized diplomatic and legal avenues.
Speaking on potential future steps, Ambassador Lamek announced that France stands ready to support constructive regional efforts aimed at resolving Ethiopia’s sea access challenges. “If there is anything we can do, France is ready to help,” he assured.
As a best practice, the Ambassador suggested that European historical experiences could offer valuable insights for East Africa (the Horn of Africa). He noted that several landlocked countries in Europe have been able to build strong and highly successful economies by securing reliable sea access through peaceful and integrated cooperation with neighboring coastal states.
According to Lamek, those European nations “managed to establish trustworthy relations with other countries that possess ports.” While he acknowledged that building such deep, trust-based, cross-border relations “took time to establish,” he emphasized that the cooperative approach is ultimately “highly effective” and “perhaps the best way to secure sea access options.”
It is increasingly recognized that such cooperative frameworks are crucial for mitigating the heavy economic burdens associated with being landlocked. Ethiopia has been completely landlocked since Eritrea gained independence in 1993 and is known to rely heavily on a single main trade route passing through neighboring Djibouti.