Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has ruled out war with Eritrea concerning Red Sea access. He emphasized a commitment to negotiation rather than conflict, despite rising tensions and military mobilizations. The ongoing situation poses risks to peace efforts and regional stability after previous conflicts.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday that his government has no intention of resorting to military action against Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. His remarks were made amid rising concerns of a potential war between the neighboring nations. Abiy affirmed, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea to gain access to the sea,” emphasizing his commitment to resolving issues through negotiation.
Despite recognizing the importance of Red Sea access for landlocked Ethiopia, Abiy reiterated his administration’s preference for a peaceful approach. Recent tensions escalated with reports of Eritrea’s military mobilization, prompting Ethiopia to dispatch troops to the border, as confirmed by diplomatic sources and officials.
The possibilities of confrontation between two powerful military forces could jeopardize the significant progress made in peace relations, for which Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. Furthermore, such an outbreak of hostilities would pose risks of a humanitarian disaster in a region still reeling from the conflict in Sudan.
Eritrea previously allied with Ethiopian federal forces during the 2020–2022 conflict involving the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which resulted in extensive casualties. However, relations deteriorated after Eritrea was excluded from the peace negotiations that successfully ended the conflict in November 2022.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has publicly ruled out a military conflict with Eritrea, stressing the importance of negotiations over access to the Red Sea. While tensions rise due to military mobilizations and troop movements, Abiy’s government remains focused on peaceful resolutions to prevent the potential devastation of renewed hostilities and humanitarian crises in the region.
Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv
