Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed has ruled out war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, affirming a commitment to peaceful negotiations. His statements come amidst heightened tensions and military movements, raising concerns about potential conflict and humanitarian crises in the region.
On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that his government does not intend to engage in hostilities with Eritrea concerning access to the Red Sea. His remarks arrive amid growing concerns about the potential for conflict between the two neighboring nations in the Horn of Africa. “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea to gain access to the sea,” Abiy stated through a release from his office on X.
Abiy acknowledged the significance of Red Sea access for landlocked Ethiopia but emphasized that his administration is committed to finding a peaceful resolution through negotiation. Recent weeks have witnessed escalated tensions, exacerbated by claims from a human rights organization that Eritrea has initiated a full military mobilization.
Additionally, it has been reported by diplomatic sources that Ethiopia has mobilized troops to its border, generating fears of imminent conflict. Should a confrontation occur between the two powerful African militaries, it would jeopardize the historic rapprochement that awarded Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, and could potentially trigger a humanitarian crisis, especially in light of the ongoing aftermath from Sudan’s conflict.
Eritrea had previously allied with Ethiopian federal forces during the TPLF-Ethiopian central government conflict from 2020 to 2022, a devastating war that resulted in extensive casualties. However, relations have since deteriorated following Eritrea’s exclusion from the peace negotiations that successfully concluded the conflict in November 2022.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has explicitly ruled out any intentions for war with Eritrea, emphasizing the pursuit of peaceful negotiations concerning Red Sea access. Despite rising tensions and military mobilization on both sides, he seeks to maintain the diplomatic progress achieved in recent years. The current situation poses risks not only to regional stability but also to humanitarian conditions, a concern that weighs heavily in light of past conflicts.
Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv
