The United States has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise maximum restraint and return to dialogue as tensions between the two countries escalate. The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region has raised fears of a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopian federal forces entered Tigray's capital, Mekelle, on Saturday, according to a humanitarian source. Telecommunications disruptions have made developments on the ground difficult to independently verify.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott warned that the rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea could affect the entire region. He emphasized that the Horn of Africa could not afford another military conflict or humanitarian crisis. A conflict between the two countries would also threaten U.S. cooperation with both in areas of mutual interest. Pigott called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring states.
Eritrea announced on Thursday that it was severing diplomatic relations with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa decided to close its embassy in Asmara and expel 10 Eritrean diplomats. The diplomats, including the chargé d'affaires and diplomats accredited to the African Union, were declared persona non grata. This move comes amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia and mutual accusations of interference in internal affairs.
The tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have raised concerns that neighboring countries could be drawn into a wider confrontation. A diplomatic source reported that the presidents of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, along with Sudanese Armed Forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, were due to meet in Alamein, Egypt, on the sidelines of an African Business Forum. The meeting aimed to address regional concerns and revived memories of the 2020-2022 war.
The escalation in tensions comes as Ethiopia's Tigray crisis puts further strain on regional relations. The Pretoria peace agreement, brokered by African institutions and Washington in 2022, brought an uneasy calm but was never fully implemented. The agreement aimed to bring peace to the region, but its incomplete implementation has contributed to the current tensions.
Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat without explanation, prompting a reciprocal move by Cairo. This development further highlights the complex nature of the conflict and its potential to draw in other countries. The situation remains volatile, with concerns about the humanitarian impact of a wider conflict.
The U.S. has emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation to achieve sustainable security, economic growth, and prosperity. The international community remains concerned about the situation, and efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote peace are ongoing. The situation in the Horn of Africa remains fragile, and a peaceful resolution is crucial to preventing further humanitarian crises.
Key points
- The US urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise maximum restraint and return to dialogue to prevent a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa.
