Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has condemned Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions as misguided and outdated, urging global intervention to uphold neighboring sovereignty. His remarks counter accusations against Eritrea and highlight escalating tensions between the two nations, with calls for urgent de-escalation from U.S. officials.
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has articulated his country’s confusion regarding Ethiopia’s aspirations for maritime access, deeming them “misguided and outdated.” He has called upon the international community to exert pressure on Ethiopia to acknowledge the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors. These statements were made during a briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Asmara, attended by diplomats and UN agency leaders.
During the briefing, Osman addressed what Eritrea feels are unjust accusations regarding its supposed preparations for conflict against Ethiopia. He emphasized that the Eritrean Defense Forces had merely redeployed to Eritrea’s internationally recognized borders following the Tigray conflict’s resolution in November 2022. He stated that any contrary claims are attempts to deflect blame from Ethiopia’s internal issues.
Osman expressed that Eritrea views the Pretoria Agreement solely as an internal matter for Ethiopia, rejecting any allegations of its involvement in the conflicts between the Tigray Interim Administration and the TPLF. He criticized the unfounded claims of Eritrean interference as baseless and insisted that to suggest otherwise is unacceptable.
The tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are further exacerbated by accusations from former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and the Tigrean leadership, who have suggested Eritrea seeks to exploit internal divisions within Ethiopia. These allegations were dismissed by Eritrean officials as cynical attempts to promote a war agenda.
U.S. Senator Michael McCaul has expressed concerns regarding the mounting tensions, warning of potential catastrophic outcomes if conflict re-emerges in northern Ethiopia. He implored both nations to take immediate steps toward de-escalation to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Osman reiterated his dismay over Ethiopia’s ambitions for maritime access, urging the global community to intervene. He emphasized that Ethiopia’s naval aspirations undermine the territorial integrity of Eritrea and other neighboring countries, thus compelling international scrutiny and action in the matter.
Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has strongly criticized Ethiopia’s aspirations for maritime access, calling them outdated and misguided. His call for international pressure highlights Eritrea’s concerns over regional sovereignty and territorial issues. The increasing tensions and allegations of interference between the two countries underscore the necessity for diplomatic resolutions and urgent measures to maintain peace in the region.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
