Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of exploiting a border dispute to incite conflict. Yemane Gebremeskel warns of renewed hostilities, countering claims from Tigrayan leaders. Tensions persist due to Eritrean troop presence in Tigray, with warnings of an inevitable war affecting regional stability.
Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of using the ongoing border dispute to incite conflict. Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, indicated on social media that renewed hostility in the Horn of Africa may arise due to these tensions. This statement follows claims by Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, who suggested Eritrea is exploiting the instability in Tigray, labeling the Eritrean regime as a “rogue element.”
During a media briefing in Addis Ababa, Getachew accused Eritrea of viewing Tigray as a “buffer zone” against the Ethiopian military and aligning with the “illegal” TPLF faction to cause further unrest. Former Defense Minister Abraham Belay also demanded the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Tigrayan territory, remarking that “Shabia is inside Tigrayan territory; that is a fact.”
In response, Yemane dismissed these allegations as “false” and a “pretext for stoking conflict.” He asserted that Eritrean forces are within their sovereign territory and emphasized a collective commitment to ceasefire, stating Eritrea is not interested in fuelling TPLF’s internal issues. His social media message highlighted that the Pretoria Peace Agreement is solely an Ethiopian concern.
Tsadkan Gebretensae, TIA vice president, warned of an inevitable war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, alleging both nations are preparing for armed conflict in Tigray, which he described as the potential battleground. He claimed the conflict could impact regional stability, particularly for Sudan and the Red Sea.
Yemane rebutted Tsadkan’s claims, stressing that Tigray should not become the conflict zone for Ethiopian and Eritrean interests. He characterized Tsadkan as advocating a harmful agenda against Eritrea, particularly regarding the annexation of the strategic port of Assab.
Eritrea’s military presence in disputed areas of Tigray since the 2020-2022 conflict has raised tensions, especially as it has persisted despite peace efforts following the war against the TPLF. This ongoing situation continues to threaten the fragile stability in the Horn of Africa region.
Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of using the border dispute to incite conflict, with officials from both sides exchanging accusations. Yemane Gebremeskel asserts Eritrean sovereignty in Tigray, while Tigrayan leaders warn of imminent war. The region’s stability hangs in the balance due to historical grievances and military positions established during previous conflicts. Continued tensions could lead to broader regional impacts involving neighboring nations.
Original Source: www.thereporterethiopia.com
