Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed denied any plans to invade Eritrea amid rising tensions and reaffirmed the necessity for peaceful maritime access. He addressed ongoing unrest in Tigray and hinted at potential changes in the regional leadership to resolve the crisis. Abiy stressed Ethiopia’s commitment to peace while acknowledging the existing fears of conflict with Eritrea.
On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that Ethiopia does not intend to invade Eritrea, despite ongoing political tensions and a desire for improved access to the sea. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been delicate since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, with escalated strains following Ethiopia’s ambitions for maritime access, which Eritrea perceives as a direct threat to its strategic Assab port.
Prime Minister Abiy acknowledged the prevailing fears regarding potential conflict, stating, “There are fears that Ethiopia and Eritrea could go to war over access to the sea. But I want to assure you that Ethiopia will not invade Eritrea to get access to the Red Sea.” He emphasized Ethiopia’s pursuit of a coastal solution, urging for a peaceful resolution to the matter at hand.
In a recent development, Eritrea has requested the international community to put pressure on Ethiopia to uphold Eritrean sovereignty amid rising concerns over Ethiopia’s maritime objectives. Although Eritrea initially supported Abiy’s forces during the Tigray civil war, tensions have resurfaced, particularly in light of the ongoing unrest in Tigray that experts believe Eritrea may try to exploit.
Responding to the turmoil in Tigray, Abiy expressed optimism that the situation would be resolved promptly, indicating that discussions with regional stakeholders were underway and that an important announcement would follow. The current unrest is rooted in a leadership struggle involving Getachew Reda, the head of the interim administration, and Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Abiy has extended his support for Getachew while suggesting possible changes in the regional leadership structure, stating, “There may be changes in the administrators and structures.” Recent conflicts have resulted in Debretsion’s armed groups taking control of several municipalities, raising alarm among residents who are still recovering from the traumatic effects of the previous Tigray conflict.
In summary, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has firmly denied plans for an invasion of Eritrea while reiterating the necessity for Ethiopia to secure a coastal solution. Relations remain complicated due to historical grievances and current unrest in Tigray, which presents challenges to regional stability. The call for peaceful negotiations reflects Ethiopia’s intent to navigate these tensions without resorting to military means, despite mounting international pressure.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
