Eritrea is requesting increased international pressure on Ethiopia amidst growing tensions between the two countries. Diplomatic briefings emphasized Eritrea’s denial of military deployment and accusations of human rights violations while outlining Eritrea’s stance on the Pretoria Agreement as an internal Ethiopian issue. The situation remains delicate, with both countries seemingly preparing for potential confrontations at their border.
As tensions rise between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the Eritrean government has called for increased international pressure on Ethiopia. Diplomatic briefings in Asmara highlighted claims of false allegations against Eritrea regarding military preparations, potential access to the sea, and matters related to the Pretoria Agreement. Eritrea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Osman Saleh, stated that the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) have been redeployed to recognized borders following the conflict’s conclusion in November 2022, underscoring the absence of any troop presence in Ethiopia.
Eritrea firmly rebuffed allegations of its troops operating within Ethiopian territory, arguing that such claims are attempts to blame Eritrea for Ethiopia’s internal problems. Meanwhile, the Tigray region’s authorities have accused Eritrean soldiers of human rights violations, with calls from U.S. and European leaders for the withdrawal of these forces despite the existing agreement.
Recent statements from the Ethiopian government have suggested that elements within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) may be colluding with external actors—including Eritrea—to instigate conflict. In response to the Pretoria Agreement, the Eritrean government has maintained that it views the Agreement as an internal Ethiopian issue, expressing no desire to interfere. Relations between the two nations have soured since the Agreement concluded the war.
Saleh further rejected what he described as outdated ambitions for securing maritime access and military bases, urging the international community to compel Ethiopia to honor its neighbors’ sovereignty. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of being a destabilizing force, and both nations reportedly have mobilized troops along their northeastern borders, raising fears of a possible confrontation over the strategically significant port of Assab.
In light of escalating tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, Eritrea has called for international intervention while denying allegations surrounding military activities. The Eritrean government refrains from involvement in Ethiopian matters per the Pretoria Agreement, despite ongoing accusations from Ethiopia. Both nations appear to be preparing for potential conflict, highlighting a troubling regional instability.
Original Source: borkena.com
