Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has denied plans to invade Eritrea amidst rising tensions over potential maritime ambitions. Despite Ethiopia’s aspirations for sea access and the fragile relationship between the two nations, he urged for a peaceful resolution. Eritrean sovereignty concerns have resurfaced, particularly with recent unrest in Tigray causing additional anxiety. Abiy expressed confidence that the crisis will be addressed soon and hinted at potential leadership changes in the region.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has categorically denied any intentions of invading Eritrea, despite Ethiopia’s historical ambitions for access to the sea and rising regional tensions. Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been precarious since Eritrea’s independence in 1993. Although a peace agreement was reached in 2018, recent disagreements have arisen, driven by Ethiopia’s quest for maritime access, which has raised suspicions in Eritrea regarding control over the Assab port.
In a parliamentary address, Abiy Ahmed remarked, “There are fears that Ethiopia and Eritrea could go to war over access to the sea. But I want to assure you that Ethiopia will not invade Eritrea to get access to the Red Sea.” He underscored Ethiopia’s need for a coastal solution while advocating for peaceful negotiations to avert conflict.
Amid these tensions, Eritrea has called upon the international community to exert pressure on Ethiopia to acknowledge Eritrean sovereignty amid concerns regarding Ethiopia’s maritime intentions. Following the conclusion of Ethiopia’s Tigray civil war (2020-2022), which saw Eritrea supporting Abiy’s forces, relations have again become strained, particularly with recent unrest in Tigray.
In light of the unrest in Tigray, Abiy expressed optimism about a swift resolution to the crisis, stating that discussions with crucial regional stakeholders are ongoing, with an announcement expected soon. The unrest originated from a power struggle involving Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Importantly, Abiy acknowledged the current leadership challenges in Tigray, expressing support for Getachew while suggesting potential adjustments to the region’s leadership dynamics. He highlighted that, “There may be changes in the administrators and structures.” Recent confrontations have allowed Debretsion’s supporters to capture several municipalities, raising alarms of intensified violence among communities still healing from the ravages of the Tigray war.
In summary, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has firmly dismissed allegations of an imminent invasion of Eritrea, reaffirming the importance of peaceful negotiations. While Ethiopia seeks a peaceful coastal resolution, Eritrea remains vigilant about its sovereignty amid ongoing regional tensions and instability in Tigray. The Ethiopian government is navigating internal conflicts, indicating possible changes in leadership to stabilize the situation and avoid further violence.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
