Ethiopia’s Minister of Communications and Information Services, Dr. Legesse Tulu, has announced that the country’s pursuit of access to a sea outlet has reached a critical stage. He called on Ethiopian media and digital platforms to play a central role in defending Ethiopia’s image and countering what he described as propaganda targeting the country.
The minister affirmed that Ethiopia’s economy has grown rapidly over the past seven years and that the government has focused on increasing national wealth. He noted that Ethiopia’s positive image is being undermined by deliberately fabricated news from various sources.
He emphasized that this is not a minor issue, but rather a wide-scale campaign — a “war of ideas” — allegedly fueled by Ethiopia’s historical enemies and their internal allies. Dr. Legesse also stated that “only a few days remain” before the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and that the country’s move toward securing access to the sea is entering a decisive phase.
These statements come amid intensifying debate around Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions. The Ethiopian government has previously stressed the necessity of obtaining official access to a seaport, a position that has led to diplomatic tensions in the region, particularly in its relations with Somalia and Eritrea.
In a related development, Jafer Bedru, Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), stated that Ethiopia must utilize digital diplomacy to effectively communicate its legitimate aspirations for sea access to the international community.
Speaking to the Ethiopian News Agency, Jafer said Ethiopia’s focus is now shifting toward intensifying efforts to gain sea access following the successful completion of the GERD.
Describing the dam as a transformative project aimed at boosting the national economy and providing clean energy to the region without harming downstream Nile countries, Jafer stressed the urgent need for a strong digital diplomatic defense against those opposing Ethiopia’s national interests.
He added that certain powers are promoting false narratives against Ethiopia’s legitimate right to peaceful and diplomatic access to seaports.
The IFA director explained that these forces have attempted — via digital platforms — to portray Ethiopia’s desire for maritime access along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean as provocative or hostile behavior.
He further asserted that these actors are working to prevent Ethiopia from achieving its maritime goals, while also spreading misinformation about Ethiopia’s legitimate interests through digital media.
Jafer underscored the necessity of countering such disinformation and defending the national interest. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Ethiopia’s positive image and educating the international community about the country`s peaceful and rightful request for sea access, urging Ethiopians to act as ambassadors for this cause as a national duty.