Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Gedion Timothewos, has issued a strong demand for Eritrea to withdraw its troops from Ethiopian territory, accusing Eritrea of 'outright aggression'. The letter, addressed to his Eritrean counterpart, highlights recent military maneuvers and the presence of Eritrean forces near the border as significant provocations. This comes amidst a history of tension and a previous border war between the two nations, which lasted from 1998 to 2000, resulting in over 100,000 fatalities. The conflict was partially resolved when Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, visited Eritrea's capital, Asmara, in 2018, marking a significant step towards peace. However, recent developments suggest a resurgence of hostility. The letter further emphasizes the importance of Eritrea's withdrawal to facilitate negotiations, including discussions on Ethiopia's access to the sea through the port of Assab, a matter of existential significance for the landlocked country. This demand comes on the heels of Abiy's revelation that Eritrean troops were involved in massacres in the Ethiopian city of Aksum during the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray, a claim Eritrea has denied. The shifting alliances and accusations of aggression have raised concerns about a potential return to conflict, leaving the region on edge.
