Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has denounced Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions as misguided and outdated. He urged international intervention to ensure Ethiopia respects the sovereignty of its neighbors amid rising tensions. Osman emphasized Eritrea’s non-involvement in Tigray conflicts and claimed accusations against Eritrea stem from former TPLF members. U.S. Senator McCaul expressed concern over potential renewed conflicts in the region.
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has criticized Ethiopia’s aspirations for maritime access and a naval base, labeling these ambitions as “misguided and outdated.” In a recent briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Asmara, he expressed confusion over Ethiopia’s approach and called for international pressure to ensure Ethiopia respects neighboring nations’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the briefing, which included ambassadors and UN agency officials, Osman addressed what Eritrea termed “false accusations” about potential war preparations against Ethiopia, its position on the Pretoria Agreement, and Ethiopia’s objectives in seeking sea access. He clarified that following the conclusion of the Tigray war in November 2022, the Eritrean Defense Forces have repositioned along Eritrea’s recognized borders.
Osman attributed allegations against Eritrea to former members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), asserting that these individuals aim to deflect attention from Ethiopia’s internal challenges. He firmly stated that Eritrea sees the Pretoria Agreement as an internal matter for Ethiopia and has no interest in involvement, directly rejecting any suggestions of Eritrean participation in the ongoing Tigray conflict.
The recent dialogue includes accusations from former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, claiming Eritrea seeks to exploit TPLF divisions, which could destabilize the Pretoria Agreement. Eritrean Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, dismissed this assertion as an attempt to justify aggression, calling it an “audacious claim.”
Furthermore, Getachew Reda, the President of the Tigray Interim Administration, also alleged Eritrea’s involvement in seeking benefits from the turmoil in Tigray. Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae cautioned that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea appears likely, warning that Tigray could again become a battleground. In light of these tensions, U.S. Senator Michael McCaul expressed concerns regarding potential catastrophic repercussions and urged both nations to swiftly de-escalate their situation.
Osman reiterated Eritrea’s perspective on Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions, labeling them as misplaced while calling for the international community to act to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations involved.
Eritrea has strongly criticized Ethiopia’s attempts at maritime access, advocating for respectful relations among neighboring countries. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh’s briefing underscored Eritrea’s stance against perceived aggressive ambitions from Ethiopia, indicating a clear refusal to be implicated in the internal issues between Ethiopia and Tigray. The call for international oversight reflects Eritrea’s desire for stability and respect for sovereignty in the region.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
