Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured on Thursday that his country will not invade Eritrea, despite Ethiopia’s long-standing aspirations for sea access and escalating tensions in the border region.
Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have remained fragile since Eritrea gained independence in 1993. Although a peace deal was signed in 2018, ties have soured again due to Ethiopia’s push for ocean access, a move that has angered Eritrea, which suspects Ethiopia of eyeing its Assab port.
“There are fears that Ethiopia and Eritrea could go to war over access to the sea. But I want to assure you that Ethiopia will not invade Eritrea to get access to the Red Sea,” Abiy told parliament.
However, he reaffirmed Ethiopia’s need for a coastal solution, insisting on an amicable resolution to the issue.
Earlier this week, Asmara urged the international community to pressure Addis Ababa to respect Eritrean sovereignty amid speculation about Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions.
Eritrea had backed Abiy’s forces during Ethiopia’s Tigray civil war (2020-2022) but tensions have resurfaced, particularly with recent unrest in Tigray, which analysts warn Eritrea may seek to exploit.
Addressing the recent turmoil in Tigray, Abiy expressed confidence that the crisis “will be resolved shortly.” He said the government was in discussions with key stakeholders in the region and promised an announcement soon. The unrest stems from a power struggle between Getachew Reda, head of the interim administration, and Debretsion Gebremichael, leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Abiy voiced support for Getachew but hinted at potential changes in the region’s leadership, saying, “There may be changes in the administrators and structures.”
Recent clashes have seen Debretsion’s armed supporters seize municipalities, sparking fears of renewed violence among locals still recovering from the devastating Tigray war.
