Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ruled out war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, prioritizing dialogue to address this critical issue. Recent military mobilizations by Eritrea and troop movements by Ethiopia have heightened tensions, but Abiy seeks to maintain peace following a historic rapprochement that had previously ended hostilities. Addressing the situation through negotiation remains central to avoid further conflict and humanitarian crises.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated that his administration will not pursue a conflict with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea. This declaration comes amidst concerns raised by regional officials and analysts about the potential for war between the two nations. “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea for the purpose of gaining access to the sea,” Abiy remarked via a post on social media, emphasizing the desire for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
The issue of Red Sea access is critical for landlocked Ethiopia; however, Abiy assured that the government is committed to resolving this matter through negotiation rather than military confrontation. Recent developments, such as Eritrea’s national military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop deployment towards the border, have heightened fears of escalating tensions.
Any renewed hostilities could jeopardize a fragile peace that has existed since the historic rapprochement, for which Abiy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. This rapprochement included Eritrea’s support for Ethiopian federal forces during the 2020-2022 conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which resulted in significant loss of life. Relations soured once more after Eritrea was excluded from peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in November 2022.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has decisively ruled out the possibility of war with Eritrea concerning access to the Red Sea, emphasizing peaceful dialogue as the preferred approach. Despite concerns of military escalation due to recent mobilizations, the priority remains to mitigate conflict and uphold the fragile peace established in previous years. The necessity for diplomatic negotiations remains paramount as tensions continue to rise in the region.
Original Source: www.tradingview.com
