Ethiopian PM Assures No Invasion of Eritrea Amid Rising Tensions

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared that Ethiopia will not invade Eritrea, emphasizing a need for peace and amicable resolutions despite longstanding aspirations for sea access. Tensions between the nations have escalated due to concerns over Eritrea’s Assab port, with Abiy addressing the situation amid unrest in Tigray.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed clarified on Thursday that Ethiopia will not invade Eritrea, despite ongoing tensions and aspirations for sea access. The relationship between the two nations has remained strained since Eritrea’s independence in 1993. Although a peace agreement was achieved in 2018, relations have deteriorated due to Ethiopia’s desire for coastal access, causing concerns in Eritrea, particularly regarding its Assab port.

Abiy assured parliament, “There are fears that Ethiopia and Eritrea could go to war over access to the sea. But I want to assure you that Ethiopia will not invade Eritrea to get access to the Red Sea.” He emphasized Ethiopia’s need for a coastal solution and called for amicable discussions to resolve these tensions peacefully.

In light of recent developments, Asmara has urged the international community to encourage Ethiopia to respect Eritrean sovereignty amid increasing concerns over Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations. While Eritrea previously supported Abiy’s forces during Ethiopia’s Tigray civil war from 2020 to 2022, new conflicts have emerged due to unrest in Tigray that Eritrea may aim to exploit.

Addressing the Tigray situation, Abiy expressed optimism and stated the crisis “will be resolved shortly.” He mentioned ongoing dialogues with vital regional stakeholders and promised that further information would be revealed soon. The unrest is fueled by power struggles within Tigray, particularly involving Getachew Reda of the interim administration and Debretsion Gebremichael of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Abiy expressed support for Getachew while subtly suggesting possible leadership changes in the region, noting, “There may be changes in the administrators and structures.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reassured that Ethiopia will not pursue military action against Eritrea despite longstanding aspirations for sea access. The Ethiopian government is focused on resolving internal unrest in Tigray and encourages dialogue towards peaceful solutions regarding regional tensions. Abiy’s remarks aim to alleviate fears of conflict while addressing leadership dynamics in Tigray.

Original Source: newscentral.africa