Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed Rejects War with Eritrea Over Red Sea Access

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has stated there is no intention to engage in war with Eritrea over Red Sea access, emphasizing negotiations. Recent escalations include Eritrea’s military mobilization and Ethiopian troop deployment near the border. Continued tensions could threaten peace and result in humanitarian crises in the region post-conflict.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared that his administration has no plans to engage in war with Eritrea concerning access to the Red Sea. His remarks come amid growing concerns about a potential conflict between the two neighboring nations in the Horn of Africa. Abiy stated, “Ethiopia does not have any intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea to gain access to the sea.”

Abiy acknowledged the significance of Red Sea access for landlocked Ethiopia but emphasized his commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution through diplomatic negotiations. Recent tensions escalated following reports of Eritrea’s military mobilization, as noted by a human rights organization. Additionally, Ethiopian troops have reportedly been deployed to the border, raising fears of possible hostilities.

A resurgence of conflict between such formidable military forces in Africa would likely undermine the recent diplomatic efforts that had begun to mend relations, which were pivotal in Abiy receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. Furthermore, this conflict could provoke a severe humanitarian crisis in a region already struggling with the repercussions of the war in Sudan.

Historically, Eritrea aided Ethiopian federal forces during the brutal conflict between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the central government from 2020 to 2022, which resulted in significant loss of life. However, relations have deteriorated since Eritrea was not invited to the peace talks that concluded the conflict in November 2022.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has firmly ruled out the possibility of war with Eritrea for access to the Red Sea, advocating for peaceful negotiations instead. Tensions have heightened due to Eritrea’s military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop movements. The potential for renewed conflict poses risks not only to peace agreements but also to humanitarian stability in the region, which is still recovering from previous conflicts.

Original Source: www.tvcnews.tv