Eritrea has countered allegations of causing conflicts in the Horn of Africa, particularly in response to accusations from former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome. Eritrean officials argue that Ethiopia’s issues arise from internal dynamics and assert their commitment to regional peace. They reject claims of military interference and emphasize that internal conflicts should not be blamed on neighboring states.
Eritrea has denied allegations of causing ongoing conflicts in the Horn of Africa, specifically dismissing comments made by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome. The Eritrean government asserts that Ethiopia should not blame its neighbors for issues stemming from internal political turmoil. Yemane Meskel, Eritrea’s minister of information, emphasized that Ethiopia’s attempts to point fingers at Eritrea act to ‘conceal and rationalize a warmongering agenda.’
Moreover, Eritrean officials attributed the 1998-2000 border war with Ethiopia to territorial occupation by the Ethiopian government. It was not until 2018, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, that relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia were normalized. In the context of the Tigray conflict, Eritrean forces were accused of committing atrocities, yet the conflict concluded following the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
Eritrea firmly stated it has no interest in interfering with Ethiopian affairs, countering accusations of military presence in border areas. Furthermore, regarding Ethiopia’s internal strife in the Amhara region, Eritrean authorities reject former president Teshome’s claims linking these events to President Isaias Afwerki. Instead, they maintain that Ethiopia’s conflicts are of its own making, asserting that solutions must come from within rather than blaming neighboring countries.
Eritrea firmly rejects responsibility for regional conflicts, attributing ongoing issues within Ethiopia to its internal politics. The Eritrean government stresses the need for solutions to emerge from Ethiopia itself, rather than externalizing blame. Their emphasis on regional stability continues to be a focal point in their foreign policy, particularly concerning the historical context of Eritrea-Ethiopia relations and recent conflicts.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
