Ethiopia’s PM Declares No Intent for War with Eritrea Over Red Sea Access
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that his government will not engage in military conflict with Eritrea regarding Red Sea access, emphasizing dialogue instead. Heightened tensions arise from Eritrea’s military mobilization and troop deployments by Ethiopia, raising concerns for renewed hostilities and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated on Thursday that his administration will not pursue military confrontation with Eritrea over access to the Red Sea. This declaration came amid concerns from regional officials and analysts regarding the potential for war between the two long-standing adversaries. Abiy emphasized the importance of dialogue, affirming that, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea,” as noted in a communication from his office.
Despite the critical nature of Red Sea access for landlocked Ethiopia, the Prime Minister reiterated a commitment to resolving these issues through peaceful negotiations. Recent tensions have heightened, with Eritrea initiating a nationwide military mobilization and Ethiopia reinforcing troops near their border, according to sources from human rights groups and diplomatic circles.
The prospect of renewed hostilities poses a severe risk to a fragile peace established after years of conflict, particularly as Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for efforts to improve relations with Eritrea. This progress is now threatened by the renewed escalation, which has raised fears of a humanitarian crisis in a region already affected by the consequences of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Historically, Eritrea had supported Ethiopian federal troops during the prolonged war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), yet relations soured following Eritrea’s exclusion from a series of peace negotiations in late 2022.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has firmly ruled out military confrontation with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea, advocating for peaceful dialogue instead. The emerging tensions, including Eritrea’s military actions and Ethiopia’s troop movements, endanger the fragile peace that has been established since Abiy’s Nobel Peace Prize achievement. The region remains precariously positioned, with the threat of humanitarian disaster looming over renewed conflict.
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