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Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has issued a sharp warning to neighbouring Ethiopia amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa, cautioning against actions that could trigger renewed conflict between the two nations.
Relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have remained fragile since Eritrea declared independence in 1993. A devastating border war between 1998 and 2000 claimed tens of thousands of lives. Though a peace deal was signed in 2018, deep mistrust and unresolved issues have continued to strain ties.
The latest friction, according to the Eritrean government, stems from Ethiopia’s revived ambition to secure direct access to a seaport—a strategic objective for the landlocked country. Addis Ababa’s efforts to advance this agenda have sparked concern in Asmara.
Addressing Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Afwerki warned that Eritrea would not be intimidated by Ethiopia’s demographic weight. While Ethiopia’s population exceeds 130 million, Eritrea’s is just 3.5 million. Afwerki underscored Eritrea’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and resist any attempt at coercion.
Although there are no immediate signs of military escalation, regional analysts warn that the situation remains precarious. The Horn of Africa’s history of conflict, coupled with persistent grievances and competing geopolitical interests, makes the current standoff particularly volatile.
International observers are urging restraint and dialogue to prevent a return to the violence that once engulfed the region. The Horn continues to be a strategically important yet deeply unstable zone, where fragile peace hangs in the balance.
