The Red Sea Dilemma: Implications of the ICJ decision in Bolivia v. Chile for Ethiopia's claim to Assab

International law considers maritime access to be a fundamental requirement for all countries which do not have direct access to the ocean. This research assesses how the International Court of Justice decision in Obligation to Negotiate Access to the Pacific Ocean (Bolivia v. Chile) affects Ethiopia's attempt to secure Red Sea access through the Assab port. The 1993 Eritrean independence declaration resulted in Ethiopia losing its coastal territory which created major economic and geopolitical obstacles for the country. Some scholars argue that the ICJ’s rejection of Bolivia’s claim against Chile weakens similar claims by landlocked states seeking maritime access. The objective of this study is to assess whether the legal reasoning in Bolivia v. Chile affects Ethiopia's claim to Assab. The research study uses doctrinal legal research to examine international legal principles and applicable treaties and judicial rulings. The findings indicate that the ICJ judgment does not necessarily undermine Ethiopia's claim because the historical and legal circumstances surrounding Ethiopia differ significantly from those of Bolivia. The study concludes that Ethiopia's pursuit of access to the Red Sea remains legally arguable and recommends peaceful negotiation and regional cooperation as viable pathways for resolving the dispute.