Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has asserted that Ethiopia seeks to resolve maritime access issues with Eritrea through diplomatic means, emphasizing cooperation over conflict. Concerns about renewed tensions in Tigray have surfaced, with allegations of Eritrean involvement denied by Eritrean officials. Although relations normalized after 2018, internal conflicts complicate the situation.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has clarified that the nation does not intend to initiate conflict with Eritrea over access to the sea. His 2023 statement, where he described having a seaport as an “existential issue” for Ethiopia, had raised fears of potential aggression. Addressing parliament, he emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions rather than conflict, prioritizing mutual development and cooperation.
Abiy stated, “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 also remarked that discussions on sea access should not be considered taboo, as global norms recognize that large nations require maritime access.
Recent developments have reignited concerns about possible renewed conflict due to the war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region. Despite a two-year civil war ending in November 2022, tensions have resurfaced as individuals in Tigray face political division. Accusations have emerged stating that Eritrea is meddling in internal Tigrayan affairs.
Tigray’s Interim President Getachew Reda claimed rivals are benefiting from Eritrea’s interests, stating, “We have reason to believe external actors are involved.” In contrast, Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has rejected these allegations, asserting that Eritrea is not connected to the tensions in Tigray. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedion Timotewos mentioned suspicions of a faction in Tigray having associations with Eritrea but provided no specifics.
After seceding from Ethiopia in the 1990s, Eritrea left the country without direct sea access, which further complicated their relationship. Following a two-year border conflict from 1998, relations briefly normalized in 2018 under Abiy’s leadership, yet many changes derived from this normalization have not been sustained.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has made it clear that his country seeks cooperation with Eritrea rather than conflict over seaport access. While there are rising tensions linked to the internal politics of Tigray, Abiy insists on using diplomatic efforts centered on mutual development. Recent accusations of Eritrean interference in Tigray’s affairs are contested by Eritrean officials, indicating ongoing complexities in the relationship between the two nations since their border war and eventual normalization in 2018.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
