Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that his government will not engage in conflict with Eritrea over Red Sea access. Instead, the focus will remain on peaceful dialogue. Recent military mobilizations by Eritrea and troop movements by Ethiopia have raised concerns about the possibility of renewed conflict, which could reverse the progress of reconciliation achieved in 2019.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, announced on Thursday that there would be no conflict with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. He emphasized that Ethiopia intends to pursue peaceful dialogue rather than military action. Abiy stated, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea,” as recorded in a post on X.
Concerns of potential conflict have escalated recently, particularly following Eritrea’s implementation of a nationwide military mobilization. Reports indicate that Ethiopia has also positioned troops near the border, raising alarms among regional policymakers. International observers fear that renewed hostilities would dismantle the peace achieved since Ethiopia and Eritrea reconciled in 2019, leading to humanitarian crises in an already vulnerable region.
The significant reconciliation allowed Eritrea to support Ethiopian federal forces during the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, which resulted in substantial casualties. However, tensions resurfaced when Eritrea was excluded from peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in November 2022.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ruled out military action with Eritrea over Red Sea access, favoring dialogue. Recent troop deployments and Eritrea’s mobilization raise fears of renewed conflict, which could reverse the progress made since their historic reconciliation in 2019. The potential for humanitarian crises is a major concern, underscoring the need for diplomatic solutions.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
