Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ruled out conflict with Eritrea over Red Sea access, emphasizing the importance of dialogue. Recent tensions arose from Eritrea’s military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop movements. Abiy’s administration pursues peaceful solutions, addressing concerns without escalating military confrontations.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that his nation will not pursue conflict with Eritrea over access to the Red Sea. Despite concerns about a potential war following recent military mobilization by Eritrea and troop deployments by Ethiopia, the Prime Minister emphasized a commitment to peaceful dialogue. Abiy asserted, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea.”

Although Ethiopia’s landlocked status makes Red Sea access crucial, Abiy’s government seeks to resolve the issue without conflict. Tensions escalated after Eritrea’s mobilization, leading to fears about military confrontation, particularly as Eritrea accused Ethiopia of harboring ambitions for the port of Assab. Yemen Gebremeskel, Eritrea’s Information Minister, labeled Ethiopia’s aspirations as “misguided” and urged international pressure to uphold Eritrea’s sovereignty.

In summary, Ethiopia’s government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has openly ruled out any intention of military conflict with Eritrea regarding Red Sea access. The emphasis on peaceful dialogue seeks to de-escalate recent tensions. However, the surrounding geopolitical context remains complex, highlighting the delicate balance in the Horn of Africa.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com