Eritrea has rejected accusations from Ethiopia’s former president regarding its involvement in regional conflicts and potential re-ignition of war in northern Ethiopia. The Eritrean government claims Ethiopia’s internal issues should not be blamed on them, reiterating their commitment to peace. The Ministry of Information denounces such projections and emphasizes Eritrea’s adherence to international law and regional stability.
Eritrea’s Ministry of Information has formally rejected accusations from Mulatu Teshome, the former President of Ethiopia, who claimed that Eritrea has instigated conflicts in the Horn of Africa and could reignite war in northern Ethiopia. Eritrea emphasized that the internal challenges in Ethiopia should not be attributed to Asmara, asserting that it has adhered to international law and has no intention of interfering in Ethiopian affairs.
Yemane G. Meskel, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, criticized Mulatu’s assertions as “an audacious claim…precisely intended to conceal and rationalize a war-mongering agenda,” insisting that Eritrea is committed to regional peace. According to him, the issues Ethiopia currently faces are rooted in its own political struggles, which should not be blamed on Eritrea.
The Ministry also referred to the violent 1998-2000 border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia as a result of Ethiopia’s occupation of Eritrean territories. Notably, relations between both countries improved in 2018 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recognized the EEBC ruling after a prolonged period of tension.
Despite improvements, Eritrea’s involvement in the Tigray conflict strained relations again, particularly following the Pretoria agreement aimed at ceasing hostilities in the Tigray region. Eritrea defended its role, stating it had offered sanctuary to Ethiopian troops during the conflict.
In response to assertions about Eritrea’s discontent regarding the Pretoria agreement, the Eritrean government clarified that it views the agreement as an internal matter for Ethiopia. Furthermore, the Ministry dismissed ongoing allegations of Eritrean military presence within Ethiopia, maintaining that such conflict projections onto Eritrea are unfounded.
The Eritrean government also expressed discontent over Ethiopia’s recent port access negotiations and the Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, deeming it a source of regional tension. Mulatu Teshome’s article in Al-Jazeera alleged that Eritrea was exploiting divisions within the TPLF; however, Eritrea’s official statement did not address this specific claim.
Eritrea categorically denied allegations by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome about its role in regional conflicts. The Eritrean government emphasized that Ethiopia’s internal crises should not be blamed externally, asserting its commitment to peace while highlighting that the challenges in Ethiopia arise from its own political issues. Additionally, Eritrea criticized Ethiopia’s moves related to maritime access, reinforcing its stance on non-interference in Ethiopian internal matters.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
