Eritrea Accuses Ethiopia of Using Border Tensions to Ignite Conflict

Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of exploiting a border dispute to fuel conflict, following accusations from Tigray officials. Ethiopian leaders warn of potential warfare, emphasizing Tigray’s role as a battleground. Eritrean officials refute these claims and call for peace while highlighting their sovereignty and military presence. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for possible escalation in hostilities.

Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of leveraging the long-standing border dispute as a rationale to ignite conflict. In a recent statement, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, raised concerns about a possible resurgence of violence in the Horn of Africa, highlighting Ethiopia’s provocations. His comments follow claims from President Getachew Reda of the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA), who asserted that Eritrea is instigating instability amid the ongoing tension in Tigray.

Getachew characterized the Eritrean government as a “rogue element” attempting to exploit chaos in Tigray, suggesting that it views the region as a buffer zone against the Ethiopian government’s military actions. He accused Eritrea of using the “illegal” TPLF faction to further entrench conflict. Former Defense Minister Abraham Belay reiterated these claims, demanding the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Tigrayan territories, emphasizing, “They must withdraw one hundred percent from Tigrayan territory.”

Yemane rejected these allegations, labeling them as “false” and asserting that Eritrean forces are deployed solely within Eritrean territory. He emphasized that fostering peace should be the collective responsibility of all regional stakeholders and confirmed Eritrea’s disinterest in exacerbating divisions within the TPLF. Yemane contended that Eritrea does not seek to undermine the Pretoria Peace Agreement, framing it as an internal matter for Ethiopia.

Despite these reassurances, Tsadkan Gebretensae (Gen.), TIA vice president, warned that an inevitable war between Ethiopia and Eritrea is on the horizon, with Tigray poised to be the central battleground. He cautioned that the consequences of such a conflict would extend to the entire neighboring region, citing risks to Sudan and security in the Red Sea.

Conversely, Yemane maintained that Tigray should not become a battleground for the two nations, referring to Gen. Tsadkan’s remarks as reflective of a harmful agenda. He accused him of advocating for the annexation of Eritrea’s port of Assab. Reports indicate that Eritrea’s current military presence in Tigray is rooted in its involvement in the conflict from 2020 to 2022, during which it supported the Ethiopian government against the TPLF, despite existing peace agreements.

In summary, Eritrea and Ethiopia remain entangled in a contentious relationship fueled by historical grievances and accusations of conflict manipulation. Eritrea’s officials have vehemently denied claims of military overreach and exploitation of Tigray, while Ethiopian leaders warn of impending violence. The situation underscores the delicate balance in the Horn of Africa, where regional stability hangs in the balance amid deteriorating relations.

Original Source: www.thereporterethiopia.com