Eritrea urges the international community to pressure Ethiopia to respect neighboring sovereignty. Tensions have escalated post-2020 Tigray war, with Eritrean officials dismissing accusations of war preparations against Ethiopia. Weapon convoys are reportedly heading towards the border, raising concerns of imminent conflict.
Eritrea has called on the international community to exert pressure on Ethiopia to uphold “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours” amidst rising tensions between the two nations. The relationship, which had briefly improved following a peace agreement in 2018, has deteriorated again since the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022, during which Eritrea engaged against the Tigrayan army.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s claims regarding Eritrea’s alleged interests in the port of Assab have further strained relations. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel expressed Eritrea’s confusion over Ethiopia’s “misguided and outdated ambitions for maritime access and naval bases,” urging the international community to intervene.
In a post on X, Minister Gebremeskel characterized allegations of Eritrea’s “war preparations against Ethiopia” as unfounded. Despite attempts to obtain comments from Ethiopian officials, the efforts remained unanswered. A February report by Human Rights Concern Eritrea indicated that the Eritrean government had called for a nationwide military mobilization for residents under 60, although this information could not be independently verified.
Reports of weapon convoys heading to northern Afar, a region bordering Eritrea, have also surfaced. A security source highlighted a severe concern, stating, “A war between Ethiopia and Eritrea could break out at any moment,” underscoring the fragile state of peace in the region. The aftermath of previous conflicts resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 600,000 casualties during recent hostilities.
The relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia remains precarious, marked by historical conflict and recent provocations. Eritrea has urged global powers to ensure Ethiopia respects its neighbors’ sovereignty. The potential for conflict looms, emphasized by military mobilization and weapons movement, prompting fears of renewed hostilities that could lead to catastrophic consequences, reminiscent of past wars.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
