Ethiopia and Eritrea, once briefly allied, have a fraught history marked by conflict, particularly following the 1998 border war. While relations improved after 2018, internal tensions and external involvement could reignite conflict. Key issues remain unresolved, and the international community must take steps to prevent escalation and encourage dialogue to maintain stability in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia and Eritrea have a long history of turbulent relations with a temporary alliance lacking real strategic cooperation. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in May 1993 after a long liberation struggle, but underlying issues like border conflicts and economic disputes were overlooked during the split. Initially, relations were cordial, giving hope for ongoing stability in the Horn of Africa, but this optimism was shattered by the Ethio-Eritrean border war in 1998 due to border skirmishes around Badme, which escalated rapidly.
The border war, which lasted until the Algiers Peace Agreement in December 2000, resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and resource depletion. However, the peace agreement ultimately faltered because Ethiopia did not comply with the border ruling that favored Eritrea. Consequently, tensions remained high, with both nations maintaining a hostile relationship reminiscent of a Cold War scenario that destabilized the Horn of Africa.
A significant shift occurred in July 2018 when leaders from both nations rekindled their relations, ending mutual hostilities and resuming diplomatic activities. This thaw won Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize and elevated Eritrea’s geopolitical status, lifting UN sanctions and reintegrating it into regional frameworks. Nevertheless, this peace was primarily orchestrated by the leaders, excluding crucial stakeholders, which rendered the agreement unstable.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) opposed the peace agreement, seeing it as a strategic threat against Tigray. The alliance with Eritrea empowered Ethiopia’s federal government but also sparked tensions with the TPLF, leading to the Tigray war from November 2020 to November 2022. This civil war resulted in significant human suffering, resource strain, and diplomatic crises for Ethiopia.
Current tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea threaten the Horn of Africa’s stability and peace. Despite past peace accords, the relationship remains fragile due to unresolved issues and external geopolitical interests. The international community must actively engage to prevent further conflict and foster dialogue to rebuild trust between the two nations. Close monitoring and continuous diplomatic efforts are essential to avert a return to armed conflict, particularly as regional dynamics evolve.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
