From the 8th century onwards, Ethiopia, or Abyssinia as it was historically known, had no territorial claim to the Red Sea. Contrary to later assertions, Ethiopia's claim to a right of access to the sea has no basis in historical fact. The coastal regions along the Red Sea were historically inhabited and controlled by the Somali Issa, the Eritrean Kebessa people, and the Tigre people of Eritrea. Although Ethiopia has historically claimed these peoples as part of its domain, such assertions are inaccurate.
The Medri Bahri Kingdom, which comprised parts of modern-day Eritrea, operated independently of Abyssinia for most of its existence. Although there were periods when it became a vassal state, Medri Bahri maintained its own flag and political leadership, distinguishing it from the Solomonic Kingdom of Abyssinia.
An important historical argument relates to the period when Eritrea was colonised by Italy. The Ethiopian leadership in Addis Ababa did not regard Eritrea as part of their kingdom and did not fight for it with the same fervour as they did for Abyssinia or at the Battle of Adwa. This absence of resistance suggests that 19th-century Ethiopians did not consider Eritreans as part of their people. Only after the decolonisation from Britain and Italy did Ethiopia attempt to assert control over Eritrea, seeking to annex it post-independence. Had they fought for Eritrea as they did for Abyssinia, Ethiopia’s contemporary claims might hold some merit. However, this was not the case.
Some argue that Ethiopians did fight for Eritrea at the Battle of Dogali, but this occurred before Menelik II’s reign, and the bulk of the combatants were Eritreans. Consequently, this argument does not substantiate Ethiopia’s claims. Ethiopians ultimately conceded Eritrea to Italy because they never truly considered it part of their territory.
Moving forward, some pseudo-historians in Ethiopia have laid claim to Zeila, an ancient city in northwestern Somalia. This assertion is even more untenable than the claim to Assab. These historians base their argument on a 13th-century incursion by a Solomonic King, possibly king Amda Seyon, who campaigned against the Muslim emirates and sultanates in the east. Although Abyssinian forces might have reached as far as Zeila, taxed the area, and temporarily subdued its inhabitants, such actions do not constitute a legitimate claim indeed.
If we follow this line of reasoning, then much of Shewa, historically part of the Ifat Sultanate—a Harari Somali entity—could be claimed by Somalis. This would extend to parts of the Addis Ababa district, as these areas were once under Ifat’s control before being overtaken by the galla and later incorporated into Abyssinia. However, unlike Zeila, which was never a part of Abyssinia, these regions have a more complex history of control and settlement.
Dr Zackovich