Ethiopian former President Mulatu Teshome claimed Eritrea is inciting conflict through the TPLF, suggesting a wider regional threat. His views led to an official rebuttal from the Ethiopian government, clarifying that these were personal opinions. Reports of Eritrea’s military mobilization and travel restrictions have raised further concerns about escalating tensions between the two nations.
Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome recently published an op-ed in Al Jazeera. In it, he claimed that the Eritrean government is inciting conflict in the region through its support of a faction within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Teshome warned that the resulting conflict could have repercussions beyond the Horn of Africa and urged immediate action to prevent escalation, suggesting that war is a lucrative enterprise for the Eritrean government.
Initially, Teshome’s comments were interpreted as reflective of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration, leading the Eritrean government to respond defensively. The Eritrean Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, accused Ethiopia of engaging in “warmongering.” Eritrea typically refrains from responding to accusations unless deemed very serious.
However, the Ethiopian government has now clarified that Teshome’s opinions are his own and do not represent official policy. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing that Teshome was expressing personal views based on his experience. The ministry’s spokesperson, Nebiyu Getachew, highlighted Ethiopia’s greater political diversity, subtly contrasting it with Eritrea’s singular leadership under President Isaias Afwerki.
Following Teshome’s article, reports indicated Eritrea had adjusted its military policies, including a recruitment push involving men up to 60 years old and imposing travel restrictions on individuals under 50. However, Dawit, an activist sympathetic to the Eritrean government, dismissed these reports as false, asserting a preference for state media sources over external ones.
The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea continues to worsen, raising alarms over the potential for renewed conflict. Efforts to stabilize the situation will need to address these rising tensions and misunderstandings between both nations, as the international community watches developments closely.
In conclusion, the situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains fraught with misunderstanding and potential for conflict. Former President Mulatu Teshome’s alarming claims about Eritrea’s military actions have been disavowed by the Ethiopian government, asserting his opinions do not represent their stance. Further military mobilization and restrictions in Eritrea exacerbate the situation, prompting concerns about regional instability and the possibility of warfare.
Original Source: borkena.com
