Eritrea has called for international pressure on Ethiopia to respect its neighbors’ sovereignty amid rising tensions. Relations have worsened since the Tigray war, with Eritrea rejecting claims of war preparations. Reports of military mobilization and potential conflict add to the urgency of diplomatic solutions in the Horn of Africa.
Eritrea has urged the international community to exert pressure on Ethiopia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring countries, amid escalating tensions. The two nations, historically adversarial since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, had signed a peace agreement in 2018, but relations deteriorated following the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, where Eritrea provided support to Ethiopia against Tigrayan forces.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s comments about Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions concerning Eritrea’s port of Assab have irritated Eritrean officials. Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrean Information Minister, highlighted this issue, questioning Ethiopia’s outdated aspirations for naval access, stating they may be pursued via “diplomacy or military force.”
In a recent post on social media, Gebremeskel reiterated calls for international intervention to safeguard neighboring countries’ territorial rights, dismissing allegations of Eritrea preparing for war against Ethiopia as “false accusations.” Ethiopian officials have not responded to requests for comment from news agencies like AFP.
A report by Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE) claimed Asmara initiated a nationwide military mobilization for residents under 60, although this information remains unverified. Additionally, reports indicated that convoys transporting weapons were heading to northern Afar, the border region with Eritrea, raising fears of imminent conflict.
Military strategist General Tsadkan Gebretensae warned that a war could erupt between Ethiopia and Eritrea at any moment, given the heightened tensions. This region has recently witnessed violence between factions of Tigray’s ruling party, following the devastating conflict where over 600,000 individuals lost their lives.
The growing tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia highlight the delicate situation in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea’s call for international pressure reflects its concerns about Ethiopia’s intentions and its territorial integrity. As military mobilizations and weapons movements increase near their border, the risk of renewed conflict looms large, underscoring the urgent need for diplomatic interventions.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
