Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of exploiting their long-standing border dispute to incite conflict, with warnings of potential hostilities. This follows accusations from Ethiopian officials regarding Eritrea’s influence in Tigray. Calls for the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray are met with Eritrea’s firm denial of wrongdoing, suggesting a complex interplay of accusations and regional implications.
Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of using the unresolved border dispute as a means to incite conflict, as expressed by Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel. He cautioned against the potential resurgence of hostilities in the Horn of Africa following comments from Tigray Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, who claimed Eritrea is aiming to exploit the instability in Tigray. Getachew referred to the Eritrean government as a rogue element benefiting from chaos in the region.
Getachew stated that Eritrea perceives Tigray as a protective buffer against military actions from the Ethiopian government, allegedly employing the illegal Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) faction to provoke further conflict. In contrast, former Defense Minister Abraham Belay recently reported that Eritrean forces remain occupying Tigrayan territories and called for their immediate withdrawal. He asserted, “Shabia [referring to the Eritrean forces] is inside Tigrayan territory; that is a fact. They must withdraw one hundred percent from Tigrayan territory, from our national territory.”
Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed these allegations as unfounded and an excuse for escalating tensions, maintaining that Eritrea’s military presence is confined within its own sovereign borders. He stressed that it is crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize peace, noting Eritrea’s lack of interest in exacerbating internal divisions within the TPLF. He declared that Eritrea remains committed to the Pretoria Peace Agreement as an internal Ethiopian issue.
Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has warned that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea appears imminent, citing preparations on both sides nearing completion and presenting Tigray as a likely battleground. He noted, “At any moment, war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out. It will draw in the whole neighbouring region. Sudan and the security of the Red Sea will be directly affected.”
In response to Tsadkan, Yemane criticized him for promoting a detrimental agenda towards Eritrea, particularly concerning Eritrea’s port of Assab. Yemane elaborated on Tsadkan’s apparent desire to capitalize on historical conflicts to justify military actions against Eritrea. This ongoing legislative exchange comes in the backdrop of Eritrean military involvement during the 2020-2022 conflict, reinforcing its presence in contentious border zones although a peace agreement was reached shortly thereafter.
In summary, the accusations between Eritrea and Ethiopia reflect the complexities of the ongoing border dispute and the potential for renewed hostilities. Eritrea maintains that its forces are situated within its own borders, while Ethiopia points to Eritrean involvement in Tigray as a source of tension. The rhetoric from both sides reveals a precarious situation, with significant implications for regional security and stability.
Original Source: www.thereporterethiopia.com
