Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed assures that Ethiopia does not seek war with Eritrea regarding sea access. His comments stress diplomacy and mutual development over conflict, despite rising tensions in Tigray. Historical relations reflect a complex background, and recent accusations have surfaced amid fears of renewed hostilities.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that Ethiopia does not intend to start a war with Eritrea, emphasizing the importance of resolving sea access issues through diplomacy. Abiy’s earlier remark in 2023 about access to a seaport being an “existential issue” for Ethiopia raised concerns of potential military action, which he clarified in his recent comments to parliament.
Abiy further expressed that negotiations should be based on mutual benefits, stating, “What the Eritrean people need is development, not conflict. Our plan is not to fight but to work together and grow together.” He emphasized that discussing sea access should be normalized, as large nations often require such access.
Concerns have re-emerged over possible renewed conflict, especially involving Eritrea, amid the unstable post-civil war situation in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region. The civil war, which concluded in November 2022 with extensive loss of life, has seen peace efforts strained due to internal political conflicts in Tigray.
Recently, Tigray’s Interim President Getachew Reda accused rival factions of collaborating with Eritrea amid fears of external interference in Tigray’s politics. Eritrea’s Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, denied these claims, countering allegations of Eritrean involvement in the tensions, while Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister hinted at potential links between Eritrean factions and unrest in Tigray.
Eritrea regained independence from Ethiopia in the 1990s, resulting in Ethiopia losing its coastline. After a brief border war in 1998, relations warmed in 2018 with Abiy’s coming to power, but many diplomatic gains have since deteriorated, creating apprehension over future interactions between these neighboring nations.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has reiterated that his country seeks peaceful negotiations with Eritrea regarding sea access, rejecting any notion of war. With recent allegations of interference and political instability in Tigray, the situation remains tense. The historical context of the two nations, marked by conflict and attempts at normalization, complicates their diplomatic efforts moving forward.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
