Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed asserts that Ethiopia will not ignite war with Eritrea for sea access, preferring diplomatic negotiations. Amid rising tensions linked to Tigray, he emphasizes mutual development over conflict. Eritrea denies claims of interference in Tigray’s disputes as Ethiopia grapples with historical and current complexities in its relationship with Eritrea.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that Ethiopia has no intention of initiating a conflict with Eritrea to secure maritime access. His earlier remarks in 2023 about the necessity of a seaport for Ethiopia sparked speculation about potential military action. During recent parliamentary discussions, he emphasized the need for diplomatic resolutions concerning sea access between the two nations with a history of strained relations.
Abiy highlighted the importance of negotiation based on cooperation and mutual gain, stating that the focus should be on development rather than conflict. “Our intention is to negotiate based on the principle of give and take. What the Eritrean people need is development, not conflict. Our plan is not to fight but to work together and grow together,” he explained. He viewed discussions on seaport access as crucial and not as taboo.
Concerns have resurfaced recently about the potential resumption of conflict stemming from Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, especially with Eritrea’s involvement. Following a devastating two-year civil war that concluded in November 2022, tensions have begun to reemerge as political disagreements in Tigray escalate. Allegations of Eritrean interference in Tigray’s political disputes have gained traction.
Tigray’s Interim President Getachew Reda has accused opponents of collaborating with Eritrea, suggesting that the nation might exploit Tigray’s instability for its own advantage. “We have reason to believe external actors are involved,” Reda asserted. Conversely, Eritrea’s Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, outrightly denied these claims, stating that Eritrea “categorically rejects” accusations regarding its involvement in the region’s unrest.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotewos further indicated a suspicion of ties between one Tigrayan faction and Eritrea, although he did not elaborate. Eritrea, which gained independence from Ethiopia in the 1990s, resulted in Ethiopia becoming landlocked. The two nations engaged in a two-year border war starting in 1998, with relations only normalizing in 2018 when Abiy took office. Unfortunately, many of the positive changes have since unraveled.
Ethiopian officials have confirmed the country’s commitment to resolving maritime access negotiations with Eritrea through diplomatic channels rather than military means. While both nations have faced historical tensions, the current leaders express a desire for cooperation and development. However, underlying conflicts in the Tigray region, along with allegations of foreign involvement, add complexity to the situation, necessitating careful monitoring of future developments.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
