Ethiopia PM Warns Eritrea Against Backing Rebels 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has warned Eritrea of serious repercussions if it continues to support armed groups opposing his government. 

Ahmed issued the warning on Monday during a speech delivered in Tigrinya, in which he urged Eritrea to pursue cooperation with Ethiopia. 

He cautioned that Eritrea would face severe consequences if it ignored Ethiopia’s calls for improved relations, arguing that supporting its enemies would undermine opportunities for regional development.

“Serving as a base for Ethiopia’s enemies instead of being a partner in development will not bring benefits. I believe that ignoring our calls will have very, very, very severe consequences,” he said.

The warning follows an offensive launched last month by rebels in Tigray against federal forces. The fighters were subsequently pushed back by government troops and lost control of the region, with drone strikes reportedly contributing to their retreat.

The conflict raised fears of a wider regional war, particularly after reports that neighbouring Eritrea had deployed thousands of troops inside Ethiopian territory to support the rebels.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which controlled the region for decades and once governed Ethiopia nationally, has since withdrawn from major towns.

A new administration appointed by the government took office on Friday.

Mekelle’s newly appointed mayor, Shishay Amare, told AFP on Monday that the administration intended to organise elections within six months. He said its immediate priority was to establish peace and stability across Tigray to prepare for the polls.

“Our role is to create the right conditions for elections by ensuring peace and stability across Tigray,” Amare said.

Ahmed, who came to power in 2018, also questioned the TPLF’s future, declaring that the group’s influence was nearing its end. He urged residents to maintain unity and protect local institutions while the region awaited an elected administration.

“The TPLF did not exist 50 years ago, and now its existence is coming to an end,” Ahmed said.

“We will carry out development across all parts of Tigray. Until a regular administration is established through elections, our people should preserve their unity and institutions,” he added.

The TPLF-controlled region did not participate in Ethiopia’s nationwide parliamentary elections in June, in which Ahmed and his Prosperity Party secured a decisive victory over a weakened opposition.

Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea remain strained despite Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia in 1993. Eritrea is concerned that landlocked Ethiopia could seek to seize territory to regain access to the Red Sea.

During Monday’s speech, Ahmed contrasted the current state of Eritrean cities with their appearance when the country was part of Ethiopia, describing some as resembling ghost towns.

He concluded by calling for cooperation and good neighbourly relations as the way forward.

“When Eritrea was part of Ethiopia, its cities were vibrant and beautiful. Today, Eritrean cities seem like ghost towns,” he said. 

“Good neighbourly relations and partnership are the only way forward.”