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Increasing concerns are present regarding the possibility of armed conflict involving East African neighbours, the Ethiopian government and Eritrea, as hostile language has intensified in the past few weeks.

What Did Ethiopian Officials Said?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, demands for access to the sea coast through Eritrea has provoked a fierce rhetorical conflict.

The Ethiopian leader first openly declared in 2023 that his nation's sea access was an existential matter, statements that Eritrean authorities rejected.

Relations between the two countries have often been tense. After a prolonged battle for independence, the Eritrean state, which has a long sea border, officially seceded from Ethiopian rule in 1993, leaving it cut off from the sea.

Subsequently, a border war started in which over a hundred thousand people lost their lives.

Recent Statements from Ethiopia's Officials

Abiy and army chief General Birhanu Jula have publicly asserted ownership of Eritrean southern port 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 access to the sea as a result of Eritrea secession would be "corrected soon".

Ethiopia's ambassador to neighboring Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopian property" and would be returned "using武力".

Eritrean Response to the Claims

Despite continuous challenges from Ethiopian officials, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to brief comments on online platforms from Information Minister the minister.

He has rejected Ethiopia's demand for sea access labeling it "hazardous" and a "toxic agenda" of "expansionism" – a approach of retaking previous domains.

Government spokespeople warned on recently that efforts to justify "blatant hostility" would have serious consequences for Ethiopia and its neighbouring countries and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Military Activities on the Region

Currently, there are few indications of significant troop deployments in the border areas between the both nations.

However, in the country, state television has broadcast graduation ceremonies of thousands of cadets at multiple army bases.

The director of staff section of the armed forces, General Hachalu, stated recently in an conversation that the army was in a "strong stance" as "many thousands of recruits" were entering service, which he said was "a warning to our enemies".

Past Roots of the Tension

For more than half a century from the late 19th century, the territory was ruled by Italian rulers.

Following the end of Italian rule, it was then managed by the British military before becoming a associated territory of Ethiopia.

But in 1962 the ruler terminated this arrangement and the region became completely integrated into the Ethiopian state.

A thirty-year internal conflict occurred, ending with the government's loss in 1991. Sovereignty was then confirmed by voters in a plebiscite in 1993.

Temporarily in the 1990s, there were positive ties between the leadership in Addis Ababa and Asmara, but they clashed over the specific demarcation of their common border, causing conflict in 1998.

Although this ended in a peace deal in 2000, it was incompletely executed, and the two nations stayed at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when Abiy made overtures to Eritrean President President Isaias. The both leaders endorsed a statement that the hostilities was concluded – a move that earned the Prime Minister the prestigious award.

The neighboring states were then allies in Ethiopia's previous armed struggle in Tigray.

However relations have later worsened once more.