Eritrea has refuted accusations from former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome regarding its involvement in regional conflicts. The Eritrean government declared that Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be blamed on them and emphasized its commitment to peace. Eritrea also criticized Ethiopia’s recent port access plans and denied the existence of ongoing military presences along the border, maintaining that the complex regional dynamics stem from Ethiopia itself.
Eritrea’s Ministry of Information has firmly rejected accusations made by Mulatu Teshome, the former president of Ethiopia, who claimed that Eritrea is involved in numerous conflicts within the Horn of Africa and is poised to reignite the war in northern Ethiopia. The Eritrean government emphasized that Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be projected onto Eritrea, asserting that Asmara neither interferes in nor seeks to exacerbate Ethiopia’s internal crises.
Yemane G. Meskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, characterized Mulatu’s statements as “audacious claims” intended to mask a war-centric agenda. He reaffirmed that Eritrea acts in conformity with international law, and its commitment to peace remains steadfast. Furthermore, Meskel indicated that Ethiopia’s current challenges are rooted in its own political circumstances, asserting that blaming Eritrea would not lead to solutions.
The Eritrean government highlighted its stance on the significant conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia that lasted from 1998 to 2000, attributing the violence to Ethiopia’s occupation of Eritrean lands. Although diplomatic relations were normalized following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s acceptance of a ruling from the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, these ties have been strained again due to developments in the Tigray region, where Eritrean forces had intervened and faced accusations of committing war crimes.
Eritrea defended its military involvement during the conflict and stated that it provided protection to Ethiopian troops. The government also dismissed recent remarks suggesting its dissatisfaction with the Pretoria agreement aimed at resolving the Tigray conflict, stating that such matters pertain solely to Ethiopia. Furthermore, Eritrea refuted claims of an ongoing military presence along the Ethiopian border, emphasizing that Ethiopia’s internal conflicts should not be incorrectly assigned to Eritrea.
Regarding accusations of Eritrea fomenting unrest in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, Eritrea insisted that the country’s multitude of challenges originates from Ethiopia itself, advocating against externalizing conflict. The Eritrean government also criticized Ethiopia’s recent actions towards securing port access and highlighted its discontent with a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland, labeling it a source of regional discord.
In his published commentary, Mulatu accused Eritrea of exploiting divisions among the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) but Eritrea’s official statement did not address this specific accusation. The discussion illustrates a continued divergence in perspective concerning involvement and responsibility for the complexities of regional tensions.
Eritrea has categorically denied allegations from Ethiopia’s former president regarding involvement in regional conflicts, asserting that Ethiopia’s internal challenges are not the fault of its neighbor. The Eritrean government remains committed to peace and rejects externalization of conflict, emphasizing its sovereignty and adherence to international standards. Maintaining that the root of the turmoil lies within Ethiopia itself, Eritrea calls for national introspection rather than scapegoating. Furthermore, Eritrea critiques Ethiopia’s recent diplomatic actions, underscoring the potential for increased regional tension. Ultimately, the strained relations require careful navigation and understanding of the historical context surrounding the two nations.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
