Ethiopia has distanced itself from former President Mulatu Teshome’s claims about Eritrea’s influence on the TPLF, which he argued incites regional conflict. The Foreign Affairs Ministry described Teshome’s comments as personal and not reflective of government views. Eritrean military mobilization has raised further concerns of potential war between the two countries.
The Ethiopian government has refuted claims made by former President Mulatu Teshome regarding Eritrea’s involvement with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). In a recent op-ed, Teshome suggested that Eritrea is instigating regional conflict and warned that such tensions could escalate and affect the entire Horn of Africa. He described war as a business for the Eritrean government, urging for intervention before the situation worsens.
Initially, his commentary was interpreted as reflecting the views of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration, as validated by Eritrea’s response accusing Ethiopia of “warmongering.” Normally, Eritrea only addresses significant accusations, making their response noteworthy. However, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has distanced itself from Teshome’s comments, stating they were his personal opinions.
Spokesperson Nebiyu Getachew emphasized that Ethiopia has multiple former presidents, subtly pointing out Eritrea’s lack of political plurality. He reiterated that the Ethiopian government does not share Teshome’s views, and the relationship between the two nations remains strained. Eritrea is yet to formally react to Ethiopia’s repudiation of Mulatu’s remarks.
Following Teshome’s article, reports indicated that Eritrea may have begun mobilizing former soldiers over the age of 60 as part of a new military strategy. Additionally, a travel ban was purportedly enacted, preventing those under 50 from leaving the country. A pro-Eritrean activist dismissed concerning reports as misinformation, suggesting credibility lies with Ethiopian state media instead.
The situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia is precarious, with increasing fears of potential conflict. Observers are closely monitoring developments regarding military preparations and regional tensions, as any escalation could impact the broader Horn of Africa region, raising international concerns for peace and stability.
In summary, the Ethiopian government has explicitly rejected former President Mulatu Teshome’s assertions about Eritrea leveraging the TPLF for conflict. It remains uncertain how Eritrea will respond, but ongoing military mobilizations and travel bans highlight escalating tensions. As both nations navigate these complex issues, the risk of conflict looms large over the region.
Original Source: borkena.com
