The Ethiopian government has distanced itself from former President Mulatu Teshome’s criticisms of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. Teshome accused Afwerki of seeking conflict in northern Ethiopia, urging global diplomatic pressure. His remarks were met with denial from Eritrean officials. The government emphasized that Teshome’s views are personal and do not reflect their position, amid rising tensions in the region.
The Ethiopian government has officially distanced itself from an opinion piece written by former President Mulatu Teshome, which drew significant backlash from Eritrea. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Nebiat Getachew, clarified during a recent press conference that Teshome’s statements were his personal opinions and did not represent the current administration’s views on Eritrea.
In his article published on February 17 in Al Jazeera, Mulatu Teshome criticized Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, claiming he aimed to provoke conflict in northern Ethiopia. He urged the international community to apply pressure on Eritrea to prevent potential conflicts. In Teshome’s own words, “It seems Isaias is not just drawn to conflict but he seeks it out and thrives on it, like a pyromaniac who can’t resist setting fires.” He further alleged that the Eritrean state is primarily concerned with instigating wars and unrest.
In response, Eritrea’s Information Minister, Yemane Gebre Meskel, characterized the former president’s remarks as “a false-flag alarm and warmongering.” He suggested that Teshome’s criticism was fueled by malicious intent and unwarranted provocation. The Ethiopian government had previously refrained from commenting on the matter until this official statement was made, emphasizing that Teshome’s opinions were not aligned with their stance.
Amid escalating tensions between the two nations, reports indicate that Eritrea may consider closing its embassy in Addis Ababa and encouraging veterans to join military training centers. Such developments mark a significant downward turn in the historically complex relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, warranting careful observation.
In summary, the Ethiopian government has publicly clarified that the recent criticisms voiced by former President Mulatu Teshome do not reflect its official position on Eritrea. Teshome’s strong condemnation of Isaias Afwerki’s actions elicited a sharp rebuttal from Eritrean officials. The ongoing tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia continue to require international attention and diplomatic efforts to maintain regional stability.
Original Source: www.ethiopiaobserver.com
