Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reaffirmed that his government has no intention of engaging in conflict with Eritrea over access to the Red Sea, despite growing concerns about tensions between the neighboring countries.
Speaking on Thursday, Abiy emphasized that while securing access to the Red Sea remains crucial for landlocked Ethiopia, his administration is committed to resolving the matter through peaceful negotiations rather than military confrontation. His statement comes after reports of Eritrea's nationwide military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop movements toward the border, raising fears of a potential war.
Abiy’s remarks seek to ease anxieties over a possible conflict that could undo the historic reconciliation between the two nations. Their rapprochement, which earned Abiy the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, was tested when Eritrea supported Ethiopian federal forces during the 2020-2022 war against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). However, relations have since deteriorated, particularly after Eritrea was excluded from the peace negotiations that ended the Tigray conflict in late 2022.
Meanwhile, divisions persist within Tigray's post-war interim administration, as rival factions vie for control. The current leadership has accused a breakaway faction of collaborating with Eritrea, while the dissidents claim the administration has failed to protect Tigrayan interests. Both sides deny the allegations.
Addressing parliament, Abiy announced a one-year extension for the interim administration's term, with unspecified amendments. He reaffirmed that the administration would remain in place until Ethiopia’s next general elections in 2026, in accordance with the Pretoria peace agreement.
