Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ruled out military conflict with Eritrea over Red Sea access, emphasizing dialogue instead. Recent military mobilizations raised fears of war, jeopardizing the peace established since 2019, which could lead to a humanitarian disaster in the region.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday that his government has no intention to engage in conflict with Eritrea concerning Red Sea access. This statement follows warnings from regional officials and experts regarding the potential for war between the two nations. Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the importance of addressing the matter through peaceful dialogue, despite the existential need for Red Sea access for landlocked Ethiopia.
Concerns about an impending conflict arose as Eritrea mobilized its military nationwide and Ethiopia stationed troops near their border, as reported by diplomatic sources. Renewed hostilities would jeopardize the historic peace process that earned Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and could lead to a humanitarian crisis in a region already affected by the Sudan war.
The nations had previously established a rapprochement when Eritrea supported Ethiopian forces during the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, which resulted in significant loss of life. However, tensions resurfaced after Eritrea was excluded from negotiations aimed at concluding that conflict in November 2022.
In summary, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has unequivocally ruled out the possibility of war with Eritrea over Red Sea access. He advocates for dialogue to resolve the issue, notwithstanding regional tensions and military movements. The situation remains delicate, as renewed conflict could unravel previous peace efforts and exacerbate humanitarian challenges in the region.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
