Eritrea Calls for International Pressure on Ethiopia Amid Rising Tensions
Eritrea has called for international pressure on Ethiopia to respect its neighbors’ sovereignty as tensions rise between the two nations. Relations have worsened following the Tigray conflict, with Eritrean officials alleging Ethiopian ambitions for port access. Warnings of potential war exist as military movements are reported along their borders.
On Wednesday, Eritrea urged the international community to compel Ethiopia to honor “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours,” amid escalating tensions between the two nations in the Horn of Africa. Since signing a peace agreement in 2018, their relationship has deteriorated, particularly after the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, during which Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopian forces against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has aggravated Eritrea by suggesting that Ethiopia seeks access to the port of Assab. This statement has raised concerns within Eritrea, with Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel criticizing Ethiopia’s ambitions for maritime access, stating they are driven by “misguided and outdated ambitions for maritime access and naval bases ‘through diplomacy or military force.’”
In his remarks on social media platform X, Minister Gebremeskel called on the international community to pressure Ethiopia while denying Eritrea’s alleged military preparations against it. Ethiopian officials have not responded to inquiries regarding these allegations.
A report by Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE) indicated a “nationwide military mobilisation” mandated by Asmara for residents under 60, although AFP could not verify this information independently. Reports of weapon convoys heading to northern Afar, near the Ethiopian-Eritrean border, have added to concerns about potential conflict.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a military strategist for Tigray forces, warned, “A war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out at any moment.” The region, still recovering from the catastrophic Tigray war, has witnessed ongoing clashes among factions of Tigray’s ruling party, leading to the loss of at least 600,000 lives in the preceding conflict.
Eritrea’s call for international intervention highlights the fragile relationship with Ethiopia, exacerbated by territorial disputes and military mobilizations. The potential for renewed conflict is significant, with reports of military preparations and infrastructure development along the border. The situation necessitates cautious monitoring to prevent further regional destabilization.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
