Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Gedion Timothewos, has issued a strong demand for Eritrea to withdraw its troops from Ethiopian territory, accusing them of 'outright aggression'. This comes amidst rising tensions and fears of a potential conflict between the two nations, which have a history of discord. The letter, addressed to his Eritrean counterpart, highlights joint military maneuvers and the supply of weapons to Ethiopian rebels as evidence of Eritrean aggression. The situation is further complicated by Ethiopia's desire for access to the sea, a matter of existential importance to the country. The foreign minister proposes talks if Eritrea's soldiers withdraw, including discussions on the port of Assab and the issue of sea access. This development follows recent allegations by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who claimed Eritrean troops committed massacres in the city of Aksum during the 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray. Eritrea has denied these accusations, accusing Ethiopia of fabricating false flags to justify its long-standing desire for war. The shifting alliances and historical tensions between the two countries have raised concerns about a potential resurgence of conflict, with over 100,000 lives lost in a previous border war between 1998-2000.
