Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos has demanded that Eritrea withdraw its troops and cease collaboration with rebel groups operating within Ethiopian territory.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos has issued a strong demand to the Eritrean government for an immediate withdrawal of its troops from Ethiopian territory, characterizing Eritrea's recent actions as escalatory and aggressive provocations. His statement underscores escalating tensions between the two Horn of Africa nations, which have a long history of strained relations, particularly following Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and the violent border conflict from 1998 to 2000 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. Recently, Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of supporting rebel groups inside its borders, a claim Eritrea denies.
Timothewos described the presence of Eritrean troops as not just a provocation, but as outright acts of aggression, and he emphasized the need to address these tensions through diplomatic channels. Despite the clashes and the history of conflict, he expressed optimism that it might be possible to break the cycle of violence through dialogue, hinting at a desire for improved bilateral relations and stability in the region. However, the Eritrean government has yet to respond to these demands, leaving the situation uncertain.
The ongoing standoff reflects broader geopolitical issues in the Horn of Africa, where conflicts often spill over borders and regional cooperation is challenged by historical grievances. The international community will be watching closely to see whether diplomatic efforts can successfully mitigate the situation or if tensions will continue to escalate, resulting in further violence and instability in a region already fraught with problems.
