Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) questioned why it should be considered a "disgrace" for a country that freely shares its rivers with its neighbors to seek access to the Red Sea.

He argued that it is fundamentally wrong for Ethiopia to share its resources while neighbors assert, "Don't touch ours, just give us yours."

The Prime Minister detailed the flow of Ethiopia's water resources: the Tekeze River flows into Eritrea, the Tana River to Sudan and Egypt, the Baro River to South Sudan, the Amo River to Kenya, and both the Genale Dawa and Wabe Shebelle rivers flow into Somalia. He stressed that Ethiopia grants these resources generously. He even noted that despite not taking water from Ethiopia's neighbors, a pipeline was laid to provide water to Djibouti.

He emphasized that all these neighboring nations are recipients of Ethiopia's water, utilizing it without providing any in return to Ethiopia.

This led him to his central question: "Why should it be a disgrace for a country that generously pours its rivers to its neighbors to ask for the Red Sea?" He reiterated that insisting, "Let's only share yours, and don't ask for ours," is a mistaken position.

The Prime Minister asserted that the Red Sea is not merely geographically close to Ethiopia; it is Ethiopia's natural boundary.

He stated that Ethiopia's claim is rooted in history, citing historical evidence, including the words of Ras Alula Aba Nega, who declared, "The Red Sea itself has been, and will remain, the natural boundary of Ethiopia..." Furthermore, he mentioned that the Axumite Kingdom once maintained extensive control over the Red Sea.

While stressing that Ethiopia seeks to secure its rights without conflict, he urged a joint approach: resolving issues through dialogue and working together for mutual growth to prevent any escalation.