Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ruled out engaging in war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, emphasizing a commitment to peaceful dialogue. The tensions have heightened due to Eritrea’s military mobilization and troop movements by Ethiopia toward the border, causing concerns over renewed conflict threatening regional stability.
On Thursday, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured that his government would not engage in warfare with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. This statement comes amidst rising tensions and warnings from regional officials concerning the potential for conflict between the two nations. In a communication shared on social media, Abiy confirmed, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea.”
Access to the Red Sea is critical for landlocked Ethiopia, yet despite its importance, Abiy emphasized the desire to resolve any issues through peaceful dialogue. Recent fears of conflict arose following Eritrea’s announcement of a nationwide military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop deployments along the border, as reported by various diplomatic sources.
The possibility of renewed hostilities poses a threat to a historic rapprochement that earned Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. This crisis risks not only military confrontations between the two significant African armies but also a humanitarian disaster, especially given the region’s already precarious situation due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Previously, Eritrea had supported Ethiopian federal forces in the conflict against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from 2020 to 2022, resulting in significant casualties. This cooperation, however, soured following Eritrea’s exclusion from peace talks aimed at concluding the war, which ended in November 2022, leading to renewed tensions between the neighbors.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s statements reflect Ethiopia’s commitment to avoiding conflict with Eritrea, despite critical concerns regarding access to the Red Sea. The recent military mobilization by Eritrea and Ethiopian troop deployments have raised alarm over potential escalations. Nonetheless, the Ethiopian government maintains a preference for dialogue to resolve tensions amicably, acknowledging the risks to regional stability and historical peace efforts.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
