Ethiopia could leverage its BRICS membership as a crucial diplomatic opening to achieve its long-sought goal of securing direct access to the sea, according to former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia David Shinn.

Speaking in an interview with Firstpost Africa, the veteran diplomat offered a detailed analysis of Ethiopia's port options and unfolding diplomatic strategy in the Horn of Africa.

Currently, over 90 percent of Ethiopia’s import and export trade flows through Djibouti, exposing the economy to severe commercial bottlenecks. To ease this overwhelming reliance, Shinn suggested that Addis Ababa capitalize on its ties with fellow BRICS members—specifically China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

While powers like China and India generally avoid direct intervention in regional political disputes, he noted they can still play a highly constructive role through infrastructure financing and diplomatic facilitation.

Evaluating alternative maritime outlets, Shinn observed that although Somaliland’s Port of Berbera features modern infrastructure developed by DP World, the overland route is longer than the corridor to Djibouti. Consequently, he pointed out that the shortest and geographically easiest path for Ethiopia involves regaining access through Eritrea’s Port of Assab, which avoids challenging mountainous terrain.

Addis Ababa’s push comes in the wake of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s stance that a nation of 130 million people will not remain a "prisoner of geography." Shinn emphasized that Ethiopians broadly recognize diplomacy as the only safe and sustainable path to reaching the sea, adding that any successful resolution will require significant political realignments and major bilateral agreements, particularly with Eritrea.