Eritrea Reportedly Closing Its Embassy in Ethiopia Amid Rising Tensions
Eritrea is reportedly closing its embassy in Ethiopia amid worsening tensions, with only its African Union representative remaining. Eritrean officials accuse Abiy Ahmed’s government of warmongering while Ethiopia claims Eritrea is conspiring with TPLF factions. Mobilization orders are circulating in Eritrea, raising fears of conflict between the two nations.
Eritrea appears to be closing its embassy in Ethiopia amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Reports indicate that embassy staff members are being sent back home, with the exception of Eritrea’s representative to the African Union remaining operational. As of now, there has been no official confirmation or denial from Eritrea’s Ministry of Information regarding this closure, nor from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although Ethiopia maintains an embassy in Asmara, it currently lacks an assigned ambassador. Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebreab, accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government of “externalizing its internal problems” and “warmongering,” a statement responding to an op-ed by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome. Teshome criticized Eritrea for allegedly collaborating with a TPLF faction for warfare against Ethiopia and termed it as “making war a business.”
Furthermore, there are circulating reports on social media suggesting that Eritrea has initiated nationwide mobilization, with all men up to 60 years of age being called to prepare for a potential conflict with Ethiopia. Relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia had notably warmed after the 2018 peace agreement which ended two decades of stalemate, but have deteriorated recently due to tensions related to the Pretoria Agreement that concluded the TPLF conflict.
Despite Eritrea denying any connection between its issues with Ethiopia and the Pretoria Agreement, accusations have arisen from Abiy Ahmed’s government claiming Eritrea is arming the Fano forces and collaborating with TPLF factions. Following a meeting with military generals, Abiy Ahmed reportedly ordered them to be “ready,” amid fears of a potential war. Some Eritrean activists believe that Abiy Ahmed’s government lacks the military capacity for such a conflict.
The situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia has rapidly deteriorated as Eritrea reportedly closes its embassy in Addis Ababa due to increased tensions. Accusations from Eritrea’s Information Minister against the Ethiopian government highlight significant geopolitical friction stemming from recent military conflicts and political developments. The potential for conflict looms large, raising both domestic and regional concerns about stability and peace in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: borkena.com
