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Mounting apprehensions exist regarding the possibility of armed conflict among Horn of Africa countries, the Ethiopian government and Eritrea, as aggressive language has ratcheted up in the past few weeks.

What Did Ethiopia Stated?

Ethiopia's, being landlocked, demands for access to the sea coast through Eritrean territory has provoked a intense war of words.

Ethiopian Prime Minister initially stated publicly in 2023 that his country's access to the sea was an vital issue, remarks that Eritrea rejected.

Relations between the neighboring nations have often been tense. Following a decades-long fight for sovereignty, Eritrea, which has a extensive maritime frontage, officially seceded from Ethiopia in the early 1990s, leaving it landlocked.

Subsequently, a border war erupted in which numerous people died.

Current Comments from Ethiopian Government

Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have directly stated sovereignty of Eritrean maritime facility of the port of Assab – some 60 km from the boundary - and suggested the intention to capture it through military means.

In early September, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia's "error" of being denied passage to the sea as a because of Eritrean independence would be "addressed soon".

The Ethiopian envoy to neighboring Kenya, former General Bacha Debele, said that the port was "Ethiopian property" and would be restored "using武力".

Eritrean Response to the Claims

In the face of ongoing challenges from Ethiopia, Asmara's position has been limited to concise remarks on social media from Communications Head the minister.

He has rejected Ethiopian requests for access to the Red Sea calling it "dangerous" and a "harmful plan" of "expansionism" – a policy of claiming back previous domains.

Government spokespeople cautioned on mid-September that moves to justify "flagrant aggression" would have major implications for the Ethiopian government and its neighbouring countries and is a "limit that should not be crossed|violated|breached".

Defense Activities on the Region

Currently, there are no reports of major military movements in the border areas between the neighboring states.

Nonetheless, in Ethiopia, government media has displayed completion events of numerous trainees at different defense facilities.

The head of human resources department of the armed forces, the officer, stated recently in an conversation that the defense forces was in a "strong stance" as "many thousands of youths" were enlisting, which he said was "a signal to our opponents".

Historical Background of the Conflict

For over fifty years from 1890, the territory was governed by Italian rulers.

Following Italy's defeat, it was then administered by the British administration before turning into a federated part of the Ethiopian empire.

Yet in the early 1960s the Ethiopian emperor cancelled this system and Eritrea became fully incorporated into the Ethiopian state.

A extended internal conflict occurred, ending with the government's loss in 1991. Autonomy was then confirmed by Eritreans in a referendum in 1993.

Briefly in the 1990s, there were good relations between the governments in Ethiopia's capital and Eritrea's capital, but they fell out over the precise positioning of their shared boundary, leading to hostilities in 1998.

Although this ended in a ceasefire agreement in 2000, it was partially applied, and the neighbors stayed at odds.

This situation improved in 2018, when the Prime Minister made gestures to Eritrea's leader the president. The both leaders agreed to a declaration that the hostilities was finished – a action that earned the Prime Minister the prestigious award.

The both administrations were then partners in the country's 2020-2022 internal conflict in Tigray.

However diplomatic connections have since broken down once more.