Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ruled out intentions to engage in war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, emphasizing a preference for negotiation. Tensions have risen due to military mobilizations on both sides, raising fears of conflict. A renewed confrontation could threaten peace efforts and lead to humanitarian crises in the region.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized on Thursday that his government does not plan to engage in military conflict with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. His statement comes amid increasing concerns over potential hostilities between the two neighboring nations in the Horn of Africa.
Abiy Ahmed publicly stated, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea to gain access to the sea,” highlighting the importance of resolving issues peacefully through dialogue. The Prime Minister acknowledged that access to the Red Sea is a significant concern for landlocked Ethiopia but reiterated a commitment to negotiation for solutions.
Tensions have risen recently, particularly after reports emerged suggesting that Eritrea had ordered a full military mobilization, as per a human rights organization. Furthermore, there are reports indicating that Ethiopia has deployed troops to the border, raising alarms over potential escalations in violence.
A renewed conflict between these prominent African nations could jeopardize the historic reconciliation that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy in 2019. It also poses the risk of triggering a humanitarian crisis in a region already affected by the consequences of the war in Sudan.
Historically, Eritrea had supported Ethiopian federal forces during the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, a war that resulted in a significant loss of life. However, relations between the two countries have deteriorated since Eritrea was excluded from the peace negotiations that concluded the conflict in November 2022.
In summary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed clearly stated Ethiopia’s intention to avoid war with Eritrea, acknowledging the importance of peaceful negotiation concerning access to the Red Sea. While tensions have escalated due to military mobilizations and troop deployments, both nations bear the potential consequences of renewed conflict, including humanitarian crises and destabilization of their prior peace efforts. The need for diplomatic engagement remains critical.
Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv
