Ethiopian and Eritrean officials warn of potential war due to rising tensions, particularly in the Tigray region. General Tsadkan Gebretensae stated that conflict could lead to a humanitarian disaster, jeopardizing the fragile peace agreement established in 2019. Military mobilizations have occurred on both sides amid accusations of alliances with dissident factions, raising concerns about the ongoing stability in the Horn of Africa.
Officials from Ethiopia and Eritrea are warning of impending war, especially as tensions arise from the Tigray region of Ethiopia. General Tsadkan Gebretensae highlighted the urgency of the situation, suggesting that conflict could lead to a humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa. This escalates concerns over a fragile peace agreement achieved in 2019, after which Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Recent events indicate a resurgence of conflict as dissident factions within Tigray have taken control of the town of Adigrat while seeking an alliance with Eritrea. The central government in Ethiopia is under pressure to respond, with Tigray’s interim administration claiming the dissidents threaten the region’s stability, creating a situation where innocent civilians might suffer from an unnecessary war.
The political environment is tense, and the federal government of Ethiopia has largely remained silent on the rising hostilities, while Eritrea denounces claims of impending conflict as panic-driven. Nevertheless, Eritrea has mobilized its military, and Ethiopian troops have been positioned near the border, intensifying fears of military engagement. The seriousness of the situation is echoed by former diplomats who warn that the ongoing political and security instability in Tigray could ignite immediate conflict.
Historically, relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been contentious. Following Eritrea’s gaining independence in 1993 and the 1998-2000 border war, the two nations formally remained at war until 2018, when they normalized ties. However, tensions resurfaced due to Ethiopia’s exclusion of Eritrea from post-conflict negotiations and contentious remarks regarding Ethiopia’s rights to sea access, perceived as threats to Eritrea.
The situation is exacerbated by Eritrea’s recent security pact with Egypt and Somalia, interpreted as a countermeasure against Ethiopia’s ambitions. This combination of military mobilization, political antagonism, and historical grievances indicates a volatile landscape in the Horn of Africa, raising alarms about the potential for widespread conflict.
In summary, rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, particularly related to the internal strife in Tigray, have led officials to predict the possibility of imminent conflict. The longstanding historical grievances, coupled with military mobilizations and inflammatory political rhetoric, create a dangerous context that threatens to destabilize the region further. The dramatic shift in alliances and military posturing highlights the precarious nature of peace in the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to avert a new humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
