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Abiy Ahmed Says Ethiopian Defends Military and Economic Progress Amid Nile, Red Sea Disputes.
ADDIS ABABA (Horn post) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Monday that Ethiopia’s adversaries fail to understand the scale of the country’s economic, technological and military transformation, as he defended Addis Ababa’s development trajectory amid regional tensions.
“The world can see the progress Ethiopia is making across all sectors, but our adversaries do not understand this reality,” Abiy said in a speech delivered during a public event in the capital.
The prime minister said Ethiopia remains open to cooperation, adding that the country seeks engagement with both allies and rivals, while warning that attempts to obstruct its development would ultimately be counterproductive.
Abiy did not name specific countries he considers hostile to Ethiopia. However, relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have cooled in recent years, particularly following Addis Ababa’s renewed emphasis on securing maritime access. Ethiopia also remains in a long-running dispute with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.
The GERD issue has drawn renewed international attention after reports that the United States is seeking to facilitate dialogue between Ethiopia and Egypt in an effort to ease tensions.
Abiy described Ethiopia as a “rising nation” and said the country aimed to serve as a symbol of broader African recovery and self-reliance. He warned that confrontation with a country undergoing rapid transformation would lead to negative outcomes, arguing that cooperation and shared growth were preferable alternatives.
The prime minister also pointed to advances in Ethiopia’s military technology, saying some countries continue to assess Ethiopia based on outdated assumptions.
“Ethiopia is not where it stood yesterday,” Abiy said, adding that developments in defense technology had significantly altered the country’s capabilities.
He stressed that Ethiopia does not seek to appropriate the resources of others and has no intention of relinquishing what it considers its sovereign rights.
“There are no obstacles or pressures that can stop Ethiopia’s progress,” Abiy said, adding that challenges had instead accelerated the country’s development.
During the event, Ethiopia showcased a range of light and heavy aircraft, highlighting investments in its air force. Officials said the air force has been equipped not only with military aircraft but also with systems designed to strengthen the country’s air defense capabilities.
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Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
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