US Envoy Reveals How BRICS Can Help Ethiopia Break Free From Its Landlocked Trap

Sep 21, 2026 541 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.