Faith Nyasuguta
Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have escalated following a controversial opinion piece by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, who accused Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of plotting to reignite conflict in northern Ethiopia. Mulatu, a close ally of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, made these claims in an article published by Al Jazeera, urging global leaders to pressure Eritrea to prevent further instability.
Mulatu’s Accusations Against Eritrea
In his piece, Mulatu described Isaias Afwerki as someone who “thrives on conflict” and warned that the Eritrean leader was actively trying to disrupt Ethiopia’s fragile peace. He alleged that Eritrea was interfering in Ethiopia’s internal affairs by working with a faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to undermine the 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement, which ended Ethiopia’s brutal two-year civil war.
Mulatu further claimed that Isaias viewed the peace deal as a personal failure, as he had hoped for continued war in Tigray to weaken Ethiopia. He argued that Eritrean forces were still present in parts of northern Ethiopia, despite claims of withdrawal, and that their presence was fueling instability.
Eritrea’s Strong Response
Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel dismissed Mulatu’s accusations as “false and reckless”, claiming that Ethiopia was trying to make Eritrea a scapegoat for its own internal conflicts. In a lengthy statement, he insisted that Eritrea had “no desire to interfere in Ethiopia’s affairs” and accused the Ethiopian government of pushing a “war-provoking agenda.”
Yemane also linked Ethiopia’s accusations to territorial tensions between the two countries. He referred to Abiy Ahmed’s controversial statements about Ethiopia’s need for sea access, which have fueled speculation that Ethiopia may be seeking to reclaim Eritrean ports such as Assab and Massawa.
A History of Conflict and Distrust
Eritrean troops fought alongside the Ethiopian government against the TPLF between 2020 and 2022, during a war that left hundreds of thousands dead. Although Eritrea was not part of the peace talks in Pretoria, its forces were expected to leave Tigray once the deal was signed. However, reports indicate that Eritrean soldiers still occupy parts of northern Ethiopia, deepening distrust between the two nations.
Mulatu’s claims of Eritrean interference come amid growing divisions within the TPLF. One faction, led by Debretsion Gebremichael, has been accused of secretly communicating with Eritrea in an attempt to undo the peace agreement. While Debretsion denies these allegations, some Ethiopian officials suspect Eritrea is supporting his group to destabilize the country further.
Ethiopia’s Growing Frustration Over Port Access
Aside from the accusations of war plots, tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been further inflamed by Ethiopia’s push for access to the Red Sea. Since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, Ethiopia has been landlocked, relying on neighboring Djibouti for maritime trade.
In October 2023, Abiy suggested that Ethiopia had a historical right to Eritrean ports, calling the loss of Assab and Massawa a mistake that should be corrected. Ethiopian state media has since aired several reports arguing that Ethiopia should reclaim its former coastal access.
Last week, Eritrean nationalists expressed outrage over images from the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, where a displayed map of Ethiopia appeared to include Eritrean territories. Many in Eritrea saw this as a direct challenge to their sovereignty.
What Next?
The rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have sparked concerns of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa. With Ethiopia still recovering from its civil war and Eritrea refusing to back down, regional stability remains uncertain. The international community now faces growing pressure to mediate the dispute and prevent another devastating war.
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