Rising Rhetorical Battle Between Ethiopia and Eritrea Sparks Concerns of Armed Clash

Mounting worries exist regarding the potential of warfare between Horn of Africa neighbors, Ethiopia and the Eritrean government, as hostile rhetoric has escalated in recent weeks.

What Did Ethiopian Officials Stated?

Landlocked Ethiopia's requests for passage to the Red Sea through Eritrea has triggered a heated rhetorical conflict.

PM Abiy Ahmed first openly declared in last year that his government's sea access was an existential matter, statements that Eritrean authorities ignored.

Relations between the both governments have often been tense. After a long-standing struggle for freedom, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, officially seceded from Ethiopian rule in the early 1990s, making it landlocked.

Subsequently, a border war broke out in which more than 100,000 people lost their lives.

Recent Statements from Ethiopia's Government

Abiy and military leader the army commander have directly stated control of Eritrea's southern port of the port of Assab – about 60km from the border - and hinted at the desire to take it by force.

On 1 September, Abiy said the country's "error" of losing entry to the sea as a because of Eritrea's separation would be "addressed tomorrow".

Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "belonging to Ethiopia" and would be returned "through military action".

Eritrea's Answer to the Threats

In the face of continuous threats from Ethiopia, Eritrea's response has been confined to concise remarks on social media from Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel.

He has rejected Ethiopia's push for access to the Red Sea labeling it "dangerous" and a "harmful plan" of "irredentism" – a approach of claiming back previous domains.

Government spokespeople warned on 16 September that moves to validate "flagrant aggression" would have significant repercussions for the Ethiopian government and its neighbors and is a "boundary that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Activities on the Region

Currently, there are few indications of significant troop deployments in the border areas between the both nations.

Nonetheless, in the country, national TV has broadcast graduation ceremonies of thousands of cadets at various military training camps.

The head of staff section of the military, General Hachalu, stated recently in an conversation that the military was in a "secure situation" as "many thousands of young people" were joining it, which he said was "a message to our adversaries".

Historical Roots of the Dispute

For more than half a century from the late 19th century, Eritrea was administered by Italian rulers.

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

But in 1962 the ruler cancelled this arrangement and Eritrea became totally absorbed into Ethiopia.

A extended civil war occurred, concluding with Ethiopia's defeat in 1991. Independence was then confirmed by voters in a vote in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were good relations between the authorities in Addis Ababa and Eritrea's capital, but they fell out over the exact location of their shared boundary, causing war in 1998.

Although this concluded in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the both countries continued at loggerheads.

This situation improved in 2018, when the Prime Minister made overtures to Eritrean President President Isaias. The two signed a statement that the war was finished – a action that earned Abiy the international recognition.

The both administrations were then allies in the country's recent armed struggle in Tigray.

However ties have subsequently deteriorated anew.