Eritrea has called on the international community to pressure Ethiopia to respect the sovereignty of its neighbors amidst rising tensions. This follows a historic peace agreement and a worsened relationship post-Tigray war. Eritrea’s Minister criticized Ethiopia’s ambitions for maritime access, warning of potential conflict.
On Wednesday, Eritrea urged the international community to exert pressure on Ethiopia to honor “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours.” This plea comes amidst rising tensions between the two nations, which, although they signed a peace agreement in 2018, have experienced a deterioration of relations following the Tigray War of 2020–2022.
Eritrea’s feelings of unease have been exacerbated by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s claims regarding Eritrea’s interest in the Assab port and aspirations for Ethiopia to gain maritime access. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel articulated this frustration, stating, “Eritrea is perplexed by Ethiopia’s misguided and outdated ambitions for maritime access and naval bases ‘through diplomacy or military force.’”
Gebremeskel specifically called upon global powers to advocate for the respect of regional sovereignty, addressing what he characterized as erroneous assertions of Eritrea’s military preparations against Ethiopia. Despite unnamed security sources hinting at military movements towards northern Afar, Ethiopia officials did not respond to inquiries from AFP for additional comments.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a military strategist from Tigray, warned of the potential for conflict, stating, “A war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out at any moment.” The human toll of past conflicts is staggering, with at least 600,000 casualties from quite possibly the most atrocious wars of the recent past, amidst ongoing skirmishes between factions within Tigray’s ruling party.
In summary, Eritrea’s call for international intervention to ensure Ethiopia respects regional sovereignty highlights the fragile relationship between the two countries, exacerbated by historical grievances and recent military posturing. The potential for renewed conflict looms large, as tensions remain high following the Tigray War’s devastating impact on the region.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
