Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ruled out war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, asserting the need for peaceful dialogue. Concerns about conflict have risen following Eritrea’s military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop deployments. The ongoing tensions threaten to undo a historic peace and exacerbate regional humanitarian crises.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared that his administration will not pursue conflict with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. This statement follows concerns expressed by regional officials and analysts over the potential for war between the two Horn of Africa nations. Abiy stated, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea,” emphasizing the importance of peaceful dialogue to resolve the matter.
The apprehension of war has escalated recently after Eritrea initiated nationwide military mobilization, while Ethiopia responded by positioning troops close to the border, as reported by diplomatic sources. Fearful of renewed hostilities between two significant military powers in Africa, there lurks a risk of a humanitarian crisis in a region already suffering from the repercussions of the conflict in Sudan.
The initial warming of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which led to Eritrea’s support for Ethiopia during the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022, is at stake. This conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. The historic reconciliation, for which Prime Minister Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has been jeopardized following Eritrea’s exclusion from discussions aimed at resolving the war in November 2022.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has asserted Ethiopia’s commitment to peace, ruling out any intention of conflict with Eritrea despite regional tensions. With historical ties and recent military movements raising fears of war, both nations face the challenge of addressing their differences through dialogue to avoid further humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
