Eritrea Denies Accusations of Instigating Regional Conflicts by Ethiopia’s Former President
Eritrea has denied allegations from Ethiopia’s former president Mulatu Teshome, who accused it of exacerbating regional conflicts and instigating unrest in Ethiopia. Eritrea claims responsibility for Ethiopia’s issues lies solely within the country, not Asmara, and emphasizes its commitment to regional peace. Eritrea also addressed historical conflicts and dismissed external claims concerning internal Ethiopian matters.
Eritrea has formally rejected allegations made by Mulatu Teshome, the former president of Ethiopia, asserting that Eritrea is culpable for escalating conflicts within the Horn of Africa, particularly in northern Ethiopia. Eritrea’s Ministry of Information emphasized that Ethiopia’s domestic crises should not be attributed to Asmara, and the claims made by Teshome were characterized as attempts to deflect responsibility and mask ongoing warlike ambitions.
Yemane G. Meskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, referred to Teshome’s statements as an “audacious claim” aimed at justifying a militaristic agenda. Meskel affirmed that Eritrea remains committed to peace and regional stability, insisting that the challenges facing Ethiopia arise from its internal political issues rather than from external influences.
The Eritrean government underscored that the historical border conflict from 1998 to 2000 originated from Ethiopian territorial occupations, emphasizing the need for Ethiopia to address its own internal matters. Following a period of normalization in relations since 2018, tensions have resurfaced after the recent Pretoria agreement concerning the protracted conflict in the Tigray region, where Eritrean forces were implicated in significant human rights abuses.
Eritrea defended its role in the Tigray conflict, claiming to have provided safe haven for Ethiopian troops. Additionally, Eritrea dismissed claims regarding displeasure over the Pretoria agreement, reiterating that this arrangement is a matter for Ethiopian governance alone, with no interest in external interference from Eritrea.
Concerning the conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, Eritrea strongly stated that such internal strife should not be projected onto neighboring nations, asserting that the roots of the turmoil are internal to Ethiopia. Moreover, Eritrea has criticized Ethiopia’s recent port agreements with Somaliland for contributing to regional instability and complexity.
While Teshome accused Eritrea of attempting to exploit divisions in the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Eritrea did not directly respond to this claim in their statement. Nonetheless, their communication highlighted the importance of addressing Ethiopia’s internal complexities without blaming Eritrea or other neighboring nations.
In summary, Eritrea’s Ministry of Information has rejected accusations from Ethiopia’s former president, maintaining that the internal conflicts in Ethiopia arise from its political dynamics rather than Eritrean interference. Eritrea asserts its commitment to peace and stability in the region and urges Ethiopia to address its own crises without scapegoating its neighbor. The statement emphasizes a consistent Eritrean policy of non-interference in Ethiopian affairs, and a call for Ethiopia to focus on resolving its internal issues.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
