Rising War of Words Among Ethiopian Government and Eritrean Government Raises Anxieties of Conflict

Growing apprehensions exist regarding the chance of armed conflict among Horn of Africa neighbours, the Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government, as hostile language has intensified in the last month.

What Did Ethiopia Said?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, calls for passage to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has sparked a heated rhetorical conflict.

The Ethiopian leader initially stated publicly in 2023 that his government's access to the sea was an vital issue, statements that Eritrean authorities dismissed.

Relations between the neighboring nations have frequently been strained. After a prolonged battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a long maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopia in 1993, making it landlocked.

Five years later, a military clash broke out in which numerous people lost their lives.

Current Remarks from Ethiopian Officials

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have directly stated control of Eritrea's southern port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the boundary - and suggested the intention to seize it militarily.

On 1 September, the Prime Minister said the country's "mistake" of being denied passage to the sea as a due to Eritrea secession would be "rectified in the future".

Ethiopia's ambassador to neighboring Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that the port was "Ethiopia's wealth" and would be returned "through military action".

Eritrean Response to the Statements

In the face of ongoing challenges from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to concise remarks on online platforms from Communications Head Yemane G..

He has rejected Ethiopia's demand for maritime entry calling it "risky" and a "negative policy" of "expansionism" – a approach of claiming back previous domains.

Government spokespeople alerted on mid-September that efforts to legitimise "obvious provocation" would have serious consequences for Ethiopia and its neighbors and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Defense Activities on the Ground

So far, there are few indications of major military movements in the boundary zones between the two countries.

Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, national TV has broadcast training completions of numerous trainees at different defense facilities.

The director of human resources department of the military, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, recently said in an interview that the military was in a "reliable position" as "tens of thousands of recruits" were entering service, which he said was "a warning to our enemies".

Previous Origins of the Tension

For over fifty years from the late 19th century, the territory was ruled by colonial powers.

Following the end of Italian rule, it was then managed by the UK forces before turning into a federated part of Ethiopia.

Yet in 1962 the Ethiopian emperor terminated this agreement and the region became fully incorporated into Ethiopia.

A extended civil war ensued, concluding with the government's loss in 1991. Independence was then endorsed by Eritreans in a vote in 1993.

Temporarily in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the leadership in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they disagreed over the specific demarcation of their mutual frontier, leading to hostilities in 1998.

Although this finished in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the neighbors remained at in dispute.

This ended in 2018, when Abiy made gestures to Eritrea's leader President Isaias. The two agreed to a declaration that the war was over – a action that earned the Prime Minister the Nobel Peace Prize.

The both administrations were then partners in the country's recent armed struggle in the northern region.

Yet ties have later worsened again.