Ethiopia Denies Seeking War with Eritrea Over Red Sea Access

Ethiopia Has No Intention of War with Eritrea – Abiy Ahmed

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reaffirmed that his country does not seek conflict with neighboring Eritrea over access to the Red Sea. His latest remarks, made during a parliamentary session on Thursday, come amid renewed regional tensions and fears of escalating hostilities.

In 2023, Abiy sparked concerns when he insisted that securing access to a Red Sea port was a non-negotiable necessity for Ethiopia. This led to speculation that Addis Ababa might pursue a forceful approach to achieve its maritime ambitions.

However, addressing lawmakers, Abiy emphasized that Ethiopia’s goal is to engage in diplomatic discussions to ensure mutual benefits for both nations.

“Our primary objective is to negotiate in good faith. Eritrean citizens need development, not conflict. Our intention is not war; it is cooperation,” he stated.

Diplomatic Engagement Over Maritime Access

Abiy underlined that discussing port access should not be viewed as taboo, highlighting that international principles support the notion that large landlocked nations require maritime connectivity for sustainable development.

His remarks come at a time when concerns are mounting that tensions in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region could reignite into conflict, potentially drawing in Eritrea once again.

The two-year civil war in Tigray, which ended with a peace agreement in November 2022, claimed thousands of lives. However, the implementation of the accord has faced significant setbacks, with political divisions within Tigray deepening. There are also growing allegations that Eritrea is interfering in the region’s internal dynamics.

Rising Political Tensions in Tigray

On Thursday, Tigray’s interim president, Getachew Reda, accused certain political factions of colluding with Eritrea, which had previously supported Ethiopia’s federal government during the civil war.

“We have reason to believe that external actors are involved,” Getachew claimed, suggesting that Eritrea sees instability in Tigray as an opportunity to advance its own interests.

Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has strongly denied these allegations, telling diplomats in Asmara on Tuesday that his country “categorically rejects” any assertions of interference in Ethiopia’s internal matters.

Nevertheless, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotewos told diplomats in Addis Ababa last week that the government suspects certain Tigrayan factions of maintaining ties with Eritrea. He refrained from providing further details.

A History of Conflict and Shifting Relations

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in the early 1990s, severing Ethiopia’s direct access to the sea. The two countries subsequently fought a brutal border war from 1998 to 2000, leaving deep scars in their relations.

A peace agreement in 2018, following Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power, temporarily restored diplomatic ties between the nations. However, recent developments have strained relations once again, raising concerns about long-term stability in the Horn of Africa.