Eritrea Criticizes Ethiopia’s Maritime Ambitions Amid Rising Tensions

Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh condemned Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions as misguided, urging international pressure for respect of territorial integrity. He dismissed accusations of Eritrea’s military readiness and involvement in Ethiopian conflicts, asserting the Pretoria Agreement is an internal affair. Tensions are escalating, with U.S. officials expressing concern about potential conflict.

Eritrea has criticized Ethiopia’s aspirations for maritime access as “misguided and outdated.” Osman Saleh, Eritrea’s Foreign Minister, expressed perplexity regarding Ethiopia’s aims during a briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Asmara, where he called upon the international community to pressure Ethiopia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors.

During the briefing, shared by Eritrean Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel, Osman addressed what Eritrea referred to as “false accusations” about its military readiness and its role concerning the Pretoria Agreement. He clarified that the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) have redeployed to Eritrea’s recognized borders after the two-year conflict in Tigray.

Osman attributed claims against Eritrea to “former TPLF members” seeking regime change in Eritrea and disputed any suggestion that Eritrea is involved in the internal conflicts in Ethiopia. He characterized the Pretoria Agreement as an internal issue for Ethiopia and denied any Eritrean intervention or involvement in conflicts with the Tigray Interim Administration or the TPLF.

Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia escalated recently, with former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome accusing Eritrea of attempting to exploit divisions in the TPLF, thereby threatening the peace agreement. Meanwhile, the leadership in Tigray has claimed that Eritrea may seek to benefit from potential turmoil in the region, prompting concerns about a renewed war.

U.S. Senator Michael McCaul has highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia, urging both sides to urgently de-escalate tensions. Osman reiterated Eritrea’s stance on Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions, reinforcing that these efforts undermine regional sovereignty.

In conclusion, Eritrea firmly opposes Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations, labeling them misguided and calls for international intervention to safeguard regional sovereignty. Amid rising tensions and accusations from both sides, the importance of addressing these disputes through dialogue remains crucial to maintaining peace in the Horn of Africa.

Original Source: addisstandard.com