Intensifying Rhetorical Battle Involving Ethiopian Government and Eritrean Government Sparks Fears of Conflict

Growing concerns have emerged about the chance of armed conflict involving Horn of Africa countries, the Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government, as aggressive language has escalated in recent weeks.

What Did Ethiopia Declared?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, requests for access to the Red Sea through Eritrea has triggered a heated war of words.

Ethiopian Prime Minister previously announced in last year that his government's maritime access was an existential matter, statements that Eritrea rejected.

Relations between the neighboring nations have often been tense. Following a prolonged struggle for freedom, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, officially seceded from Ethiopia in 1993, leaving it landlocked.

Five years later, a military clash erupted in which over a hundred thousand people died.

Latest Remarks from Ethiopia's Leadership

Abiy and military leader the army commander have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrean southern port of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the border - and hinted at the wish to seize it militarily.

On 1 September, the Prime Minister said the country's "mistake" of losing entry to the Red Sea as a result of Eritrea's separation would be "addressed tomorrow".

Ethiopia's ambassador to neighboring Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopian property" and would be given back "through military action".

Eritrean Answer to the Statements

Amid persistent warnings from Ethiopian officials, Asmara's position has been restricted to short statements on online platforms from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel.

He has rejected Ethiopian requests for access to the Red Sea labeling it "dangerous" and a "toxic agenda" of "territorial claims" – a strategy of retaking former lands.

Eritrean authorities alerted on 16 September that efforts to justify "blatant hostility" would have significant repercussions for Ethiopia and its neighbouring countries and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Defense Movements on the Border

So far, there are few indications of large-scale army activities in the frontier regions between the neighboring states.

Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, government media has shown completion events of many recruits at various military training camps.

The leader of human resources department of the defense force, the officer, recently said in an interview that the military was in a "reliable position" as "many thousands of young people" were entering service, which he said was "a signal to our opponents".

Previous Origins of the Dispute

For over fifty years from the late 19th century, Eritrea was administered by Italian rulers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then managed by the British administration before becoming a federated part of Ethiopia.

Yet in 1962 Emperor Haile Selassie I terminated this agreement and the region became completely integrated into Ethiopia.

A thirty-year armed struggle ensued, concluding with military reversal in 1991. Sovereignty was then endorsed by Eritreans in a vote in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the governments in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they clashed over the specific demarcation of their mutual frontier, resulting in hostilities in 1998.

Though this finished in a truce in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the two nations continued at in dispute.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrean President President Isaias. The both leaders agreed to a declaration that the war was finished – a move that won Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize.

The two governments were then allies in the country's 2020-2022 internal conflict in the northern region.

But diplomatic connections have since broken down once more.