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Growing worries are present about the possibility of armed conflict among East African neighbors, the Ethiopian government and the Eritrean government, as confrontational language has escalated in recent weeks.

What Has Ethiopian Officials Stated?

Landlocked Ethiopia's demands for access to the Red Sea through Eritrea has triggered a heated verbal exchange.

Ethiopian Prime Minister initially stated publicly in 2023 that his nation's sea access was an existential matter, comments that Eritrean authorities dismissed.

Diplomatic connections between the neighboring nations have regularly been difficult. Following a decades-long battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopian rule in 1993, rendering it landlocked.

In 1998, a military clash erupted in which over a hundred thousand people lost their lives.

Latest Remarks from Ethiopia's Officials

Prime Minister Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have directly stated sovereignty of Eritrean coastal city of the port of Assab – some 60 km from the frontier - and hinted at the desire to seize it militarily.

Recently, Abiy said the country's "blunder" of losing entry to the sea as a result of Eritrea's separation would be "rectified in the future".

The Ethiopian envoy to Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopian property" and would be given back "by force".

Eritrean Answer to the Statements

Amid persistent threats from Ethiopia, Asmara's position has been restricted to concise remarks on social media from Communications Head Yemane Gebremeskel.

The minister has dismissed Ethiopia's demand for maritime entry describing it as "risky" and a "harmful plan" of "expansionism" – a strategy of reclaiming previous domains.

Eritrean authorities cautioned on 16 September that efforts to justify "obvious provocation" would have significant repercussions for Ethiopia and its neighbors and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Defense Activities on the Ground

There have been little evidence of large-scale army activities in the boundary zones between the neighboring states.

Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, government media has displayed training completions of thousands of cadets at multiple army bases.

The head of human resources department of the defense force, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, stated recently in an conversation that the army was in a "reliable position" as "numerous of youths" were joining it, which he said was "a signal to our opponents".

Previous Origins of the Tension

For over fifty years from the late 19th century, Eritrea was ruled by colonial powers.

Following World War II, it was then managed by the British administration before turning into a integrated region of Ethiopia.

However in 1962 the Ethiopian emperor ended this system and the region became fully incorporated into Ethiopia.

A three-decade long civil war occurred, concluding with military reversal in 1991. Sovereignty was then approved by the population in a vote in 1993.

Temporarily in the 1990s, there were friendly connections between the governments in Ethiopia's capital and Eritrea's capital, but they fell out over the specific demarcation of their common border, leading to conflict in 1998.

Although this concluded in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was partially applied, and the both countries continued at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made approaches to Eritrea's leader President Isaias. The both leaders agreed to a statement that the conflict was over – a move that won the Prime Minister the international recognition.

The neighboring states were then partners in Ethiopia's recent armed struggle in Tigray.

Yet ties have subsequently deteriorated anew.