Eritrea has called for international pressure on Ethiopia to respect its neighbors’ sovereignty as tensions escalate. Relations have soured since a peace agreement in 2018, exacerbated by conflicts such as the Tigray war. Eritrea’s military mobilization and Ethiopian territorial ambitions raise concerns about potential conflict.
On Wednesday, Eritrea urged the international community to exert pressure on Ethiopia to honor the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring nations amidst rising tensions between the two countries. Since signing a peace agreement in 2018, relations have deteriorated, especially following the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022, where Eritrea intervened against the Tigrayan forces.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has aggravated Eritrea by suggesting an interest in the port of Assab, claiming that landlocked Ethiopia seeks maritime access. Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrean Information Minister, expressed regret over Ethiopia’s perceived ambitions for naval access, highlighting that Eritrea finds these aspirations both misguided and outdated.
In a statement on social media, Minister Gebremeskel called for international intervention, condemning what he labeled as “false accusations” regarding Eritrea’s military preparations against Ethiopia. Despite requests for comments, Ethiopian officials have remained silent.
A report by Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE) indicated that Eritrea has initiated a nationwide military mobilization for residents under 60. While this information has not been independently verified, sources indicated that weapon convoys were arriving in northern Afar, near the border with Eritrea.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae, a military strategist, warned that a conflict could erupt between Ethiopia and Eritrea at any moment. The region remains unstable, having recently experienced clashes, with an estimated 600,000 fatalities resulting from one of the most violent wars in history.
Eritrea’s request for international intervention underscores rising tensions with Ethiopia, following a complicated history marked by conflict and a fragile peace. The ongoing military mobilization in Eritrea, coupled with Ethiopian claims over maritime access, suggests that further destabilization in the region could be imminent. This situation warrants careful observation from the global community to ensure the sovereignty of neighboring nations is respected.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
