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Mounting worries have emerged about the chance of military engagement involving Horn of Africa countries, the Ethiopian government and Eritrea, as hostile discourse has escalated in the past few weeks.

What Has Ethiopia Declared?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, demands for passage to the maritime outlet through Eritrea has provoked a intense war of words.

Ethiopian Prime Minister previously announced in the previous year that his country's sea access was an crucial concern, comments that Eritrean authorities dismissed.

Diplomatic connections between the both governments have regularly been difficult. Following a prolonged battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, legally broke away from Ethiopia in 1993, leaving it landlocked.

Subsequently, a territorial conflict erupted in which over a hundred thousand people were killed.

Latest Remarks from Ethiopia's Officials

Prime Minister Abiy and military leader the army commander have directly stated control of Eritrean maritime facility of Assab – approximately 60 kilometers from the border - and implied the desire to seize it militarily.

On 1 September, Abiy said the country's "blunder" of losing entry to the sea as a result of Eritrean independence would be "rectified tomorrow".

Ethiopia's ambassador to neighboring Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopian property" and would be restored "by force".

Eritrean Response to the Threats

In the face of continuous challenges from Ethiopia, Asmara's position has been limited to short statements on X from Communications Head Yemane G..

Officials have denied Ethiopia's demand for maritime entry labeling it "risky" and a "harmful plan" of "irredentism" – a strategy of claiming back lost territory.

The information ministry alerted on 16 September that moves to justify "obvious provocation" would have significant repercussions for Ethiopia and its neighbouring countries and is a "redline that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Security Activities on the Border

So far, there are little evidence of large-scale army activities in the border areas between the both nations.

However, in Ethiopia, government media has broadcast graduation ceremonies of numerous trainees at various military training camps.

The head of human resources department of the defense force, General Hachalu, commented lately in an discussion that the military was in a "reliable position" as "many thousands of young people" were entering service, which he said was "a warning to our enemies".

Historical Origins of the Conflict

For more than half a century from 1890, the territory was governed by Italian rulers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then controlled by the UK forces before evolving into a associated territory of Ethiopia.

Yet in the early 1960s the ruler cancelled this arrangement and the region became totally absorbed into Ethiopia.

A three-decade long internal conflict ensued, ending with the government's loss in 1991. Independence was then confirmed by the population in a vote in 1993.

For a few years in the 1990s, there were positive ties between the leadership in Ethiopia's capital and Asmara, but they fell out over the precise positioning of their mutual frontier, causing conflict in 1998.

Even though this concluded in a peace deal in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the both countries stayed at odds.

This ended in 2018, when the Prime Minister made overtures to Eritrea's leader President Isaias. The two agreed to a declaration that the hostilities was concluded – a decision that won the Prime Minister the international recognition.

The neighboring states were then partners in Ethiopia's 2020-2022 civil war in the northern region.

However ties have subsequently deteriorated once more.