Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ruled out war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, emphasizing a commitment to peaceful negotiations. Amid rising tensions and military mobilizations, the potential for conflict poses risks to regional stability and humanitarian conditions, especially after the Tigray conflict’s fallout.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday that his government will not engage in conflict with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. His statement arises amidst escalating fears of war between the neighboring nations, a situation the Prime Minister aims to mitigate through diplomacy. “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea to gain access to the sea,” he affirmed via a post on X.
Abiy acknowledged that access to the Red Sea is a significant concern for landlocked Ethiopia but remains committed to pursuing peaceful resolutions through negotiation. Recent tensions have escalated, fueled by reports from a human rights organization claiming that Eritrea has mobilized its military forces. Concurrently, sources indicate that Ethiopia has deployed troops to its border, intensifying concerns about potential hostilities.
A renewed confrontation between the two nations, which possess some of Africa’s most formidable military forces, would jeopardize the historic reconciliation that led to Abiy receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. Furthermore, such conflict could exacerbate a humanitarian crisis in a region already impacted by the recent war in Sudan. Previously, Eritrea had aided Ethiopian federal forces during the 2020-2022 conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a devastating war resulting in numerous casualties. However, relations between the two countries deteriorated after Eritrea was excluded from the peace discussions that culminated in November 2022.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has firmly ruled out the possibility of military conflict with Eritrea regarding Red Sea access, emphasizing a preference for negotiated solutions. The potential for escalation remains a concern, especially given recent military mobilizations and troop deployments. The former cooperation between the two nations during the Tigray conflict has soured, highlighting the fragility of their current relations and the overarching necessity for diplomacy.
Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv
