Eritrea’s Foreign Minister criticized Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions as misguided and outdated, calling for international pressure to respect regional sovereignty. He denied claims of Eritrea preparing for war and maintained that the Pretoria Agreement is an internal matter for Ethiopia. Concerns over escalating tensions and potential conflict have been raised by U.S. Senator Michael McCaul.
Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh expressed his country’s confusion regarding Ethiopia’s desire for maritime access and a naval base, deeming these aspirations “misguided and outdated.” He called upon the international community to pressure Ethiopia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring states. These comments were made during a briefing provided to resident ambassadors, diplomats, and UN heads at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Asmara.
During the briefing, Osman sought to counteract what Eritrea describes as false accusations pertaining to its alleged war preparations against Ethiopia and its position on the Pretoria Agreement. He emphasized that the Eritrean Defense Forces have redeployed to internationally recognized borders following the conclusion of the Tigray war in November 2022, asserting that claims to the contrary are part of a scapegoating narrative.
Osman attributed the accusations to former TPLF members who opposed the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission ruling and attempted regime change in Eritrea. He firmly stated that Eritrea views the Pretoria Agreement as an internal Ethiopian matter, expressing no desire for intervention. Any allegations of Eritrea’s involvement in the Tigray conflict are, according to him, categorically rejected.
These developments occur amid rising tensions, as former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome accused Eritrea of exploiting divisions within the TPLF, potentially destabilizing the Pretoria Agreement. Eritrea characterized this accusation as an audacious attempt to justify a war agenda. Additionally, Tigray officials have raised alarms about the risk of renewed conflict.
Senator Michael McCaul has voiced concerns about the precarious situation, warning that escalating tensions could lead to catastrophic consequences. He urged an immediate de-escalation from both nations. Osman reiterated Eritrea’s perplexity regarding Ethiopia’s ambitions for maritime access, urging the international community to act in defense of regional sovereignty.
In summary, Eritrea’s leadership has firmly rejected accusations from Ethiopia regarding wartime preparations and has expressed concern over Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions. Osman Saleh’s statements underscore Eritrea’s commitment to regional sovereignty and its stance on the Pretoria Agreement, while international figures emphasize the need for de-escalation to avoid potential conflict between the neighboring countries.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
