Tensions Rise Between Ethiopia and Eritrea: A Closer Look

History of Conflict Ethiopia and Eritrea, two countries with a history of conflict, are once again at odds.

Latest Accusations

• Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of sending weapons to rebels in the Amhara region.
• Ethiopian police claim to have seized thousands of rounds of ammunition.
• Two suspects have been arrested.
• Ethiopia believes the weapons came from Eritrea's ruling party, the Shabiya government.

Historical Context

• Fought a brutal border war from 1998 to 2000.
• Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia a few years before the war.
• Signed a peace agreement in 2018.
• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Current Tensions

• Eritrea denies interfering in Ethiopia's affairs.
• Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki accuses Ethiopia of aggression.
• Afwerki claims Ethiopia's ruling party has declared war against Eritrea.

Escalating Situation

• Eritrean troops supported Ethiopia during a civil war in Tigray from 2020 to 2022.
• Eritrea was left out of the peace deal that ended the Tigray conflict.
• Ethiopia's prime minister has been discussing Ethiopia's right to sea access.
• Eritrea, with a coastline on the Red Sea, sees this as a threat.

Diplomatic Efforts

• Both sides claim they don't want war.
• The situation remains delicate.
• Old conflicts can flare up again.
• Diplomacy is key to maintaining peace.