Eritrea’s Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, has condemned Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions as misguided, urging for international intervention to respect territorial sovereignty. He denied accusations of Eritrea preparing for conflict and emphasized Eritrea’s non-involvement in Ethiopia’s internal disputes. Tensions rise as U.S. officials express concern for potential renewed conflict.
Eritrea has voiced strong opposition to Ethiopia’s aspirations for maritime access and naval bases, terming these ambitions as “misguided and outdated.” During a briefing in Asmara attended by diplomats and UN officials, Foreign Minister Osman Saleh emphasized that Ethiopia’s pursuits, whether through diplomacy or force, must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries.
Osman addressed misconceptions regarding Eritrea’s military posture, stating that the Eritrean Defense Forces have redeployed to internationally recognized borders after the Tigray conflict concluded in November 2022. He labeled claims of Eritrea preparing for war as scapegoating tactics aimed at diverting attention from Ethiopia’s own internal challenges.
He further clarified Eritrea’s stance on the Pretoria Agreement, asserting that it is an internal matter for Ethiopia, and expressed no intention to intervene in the Ethiopia-Tigray dispute. Allegations regarding Eritrea’s involvement were firmly denied. Recent accusations from Ethiopian officials suggest that Eritrea is exploiting divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and could exacerbate tensions, claims that Eritrea dismissed as unfounded.
U.S. Senator Michael McCaul has also raised alarms about the potential for renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia, describing such a scenario as potentially catastrophic. He urged both nations to prioritize de-escalation efforts immediately.
In response to Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions, Osman reiterated Eritrea’s confusion over these goals, declaring them to be harmful to the integrity of neighboring states, and requested the international community to intervene.
The tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia continue to escalate as Eritrea denounces Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions. Eritrea maintains its military positions within its borders while rejecting allegations of war preparations. The international community’s involvement is deemed necessary by Eritrea to ensure respect for territorial integrity. Despite accusations from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea insists it remains uninvolved in ongoing internal conflicts within Ethiopia, urging for peace and de-escalation.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
