Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of using the border dispute to instigate conflict, with officials claiming hostilities may reignite. Getachew Reda accused Eritrea of exploiting Tigray’s instability while Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed these allegations. Tsadkan Gebretensae warned of an impending war, predicting Tigray may become a battleground. The tensions reflect deep-rooted territorial claims and military posturing by both nations.
Eritrea has recently accused Ethiopia of exploiting the long-standing border dispute as a justification for inciting conflict. In statements made via social media, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, alerted to the potential for renewed hostilities in the Horn of Africa, responding to comments made by Tigray Interim Administration President, Getachew Reda, who claimed Eritrea is taking advantage of the instability in Tigray.
Getachew Reda characterized Eritrea’s government as a “rogue element” seeking to gain from the turmoil in Tigray. He suggested that Eritrea perceives Tigray as a buffer zone against military actions by the Ethiopian government and is allegedly using the “illegal” TPLF faction to provoke further conflict in the region.
Former Defense Minister Abraham Belay emphasized the continued presence of Eritrean forces in Tigrayan territories and called for their immediate withdrawal. He specifically remarked, “Shabia is inside Tigrayan territory; that is a fact. They must withdraw one hundred percent from Tigrayan territory, from our national territory.”
In response, Yemane dismissed these allegations as “false” and reinforced Eritrea’s claim to its sovereign territories. He expressed the necessity of collective commitment to peace in the region and asserted that Eritrea has no desire to exacerbate internal conflicts within the TPLF. He clarified, “As the Pretoria Peace Agreement is an internal Ethiopian affair, Eritrea has no interest in scuttling it.”
Tigray Interim Administration vice president Tsadkan Gebretensae issued a warning that conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is “inevitable,” reporting that militaristic preparations are in their “final stages,” with Tigray likely becoming a major battleground. He suggested that, “At any moment, war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out… the prospect of war being imposed is very real.”
Yemane refuted Tsadkan’s assertions, labeling him a supporter of a “toxic agenda” against Eritrea. He indicated that Tsadkan has previously lamented the Ethiopian government’s failure to occupy Eritrea’s strategic port, Assab, following the border war of 1998-2000. Yemen further stated that Eritrea’s presence in Tigray is a remnant of its military involvement in the 2020-2022 conflict alongside the Ethiopian federal government against the TPLF, which was solidified despite subsequent peace agreements.
In summary, tensions are escalating between Eritrea and Ethiopia as accusations arise regarding the ongoing border dispute. Eritrea’s Minister of Information warned of potential conflicts instigated by Ethiopia, citing ongoing military presence in contested territories. The situation is compounded by conflicting narratives from Ethiopian officials, leading some, like Tsadkan Gebretensae, to predict imminent warfare. Both Eritrea and Ethiopia thus find themselves in a precarious position, each asserting their territorial claims while preparing for possible confrontations.
Original Source: www.thereporterethiopia.com
